India is set to face England in the second T20I of the five-match series on Saturday, January 25, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. After a dominant seven-wicket win in Kolkata, India leads the series 1-0 and will aim to continue their momentum, while England will look to bounce back and level the series.
Match Details
- Match: India vs England, 2nd T20I
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Date and Time: Saturday, January 25, 2025, 7:00 PM IST
Team Overviews
India
India demonstrated their dominance in the first T20I with a strong all-round performance. Suryakumar Yadav led the team with calm composure as captain, while Abhishek Sharma stole the show with an aggressive batting display. The spin trio of Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel exploited England’s weakness against spin, keeping their batters on the back foot. With players like Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh adding balance to the squad, India will look to repeat their strong showing in Chennai.
England
England, led by Jos Buttler, struggled against India’s spinners in Kolkata, with their batters failing to adapt to the conditions. While Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid showed glimpses of brilliance with the ball, the team lacked a collective effort. The inclusion of players like Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone will be crucial for England to counter India’s bowling attack. They’ll need to adapt quickly to Chennai’s spin-friendly conditions to avoid falling further behind in the series.
Key Players to Watch
- Abhishek Sharma (India): The young batter was the star of the first game, showcasing aggressive intent. He’ll look to build on that momentum.
- Suryakumar Yadav (India): India’s captain and one of the most dependable batters in the format, Suryakumar’s leadership and batting will be key.
- Jos Buttler (England): The skipper needs to lead from the front and guide his team out of their struggles against spin.
- Adil Rashid (England): The experienced leg-spinner will play a vital role on a pitch that favors turn and bounce.
Pitch Report
The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is known for assisting spinners, with the ball gripping and turning as the match progresses. Depending on the soil type, pacers might find some early movement. Dew is expected in the evening, making it easier to chase under lights. Teams winning the toss may prefer to bowl first.
Weather Forecast
The weather is expected to remain clear, with temperatures around 22°C in the evening. Dew will likely play a key role, influencing bowling strategies in the second innings.
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches Played: 25
- India Wins: 15
- England Wins: 11
Probable Playing XI
India:
- Sanju Samson (WK)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Tilak Varma
- Suryakumar Yadav (C)
- Hardik Pandya
- Rinku Singh
- Axar Patel
- Nitish Kumar Reddy/Washington Sundar
- Arshdeep Singh
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Varun Chakravarthy
England:
- Ben Duckett
- Phil Salt (WK)
- Jos Buttler (C)
- Harry Brook
- Liam Livingstone
- Jacob Bethell
- Jamie Overton
- Gus Atkinson/Rehan Ahmed
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
- Mark Wood
Live Streaming
India:
- TV Channel: Sony Pictures Network (Specific channel to be announced)
- Live Streaming: SonyLIV app and website
Pakistan:
- TV Channel: Asports
- Live Streaming: Tamasha App, Tapmad
Probable Scenarios
- If India Bats First: India will aim to post a total of 180+ with their aggressive batting lineup and then rely on their spinners to defend the target.
- If England Bats First: England must aim for a competitive score of 170+ while focusing on partnerships to counter the spin threat.
- Key Match-Up: India’s spinners vs England’s middle order.
Match Prediction
With Chennai’s spin-friendly conditions and India’s spinners in top form, the hosts are favorites to win the second T20I. England’s chances will hinge on how well they adapt to the conditions and handle spin.
Final Prediction: India to win and take a 2-0 lead in the series.