The Indian cricket team will play England in a three-match ODI series from February 6–12 to get ready for the 2025 Champions Trophy before taking a plane to Dubai. The Men in Blue's first assignment in the format since a series against Sri Lanka in July, will be their only ODI series before the major event. The side selected for the Champions Trophy is also anticipated to participate in the three ODIs against England, which are set to take place in Nagpur, Cuttack, and Ahmedabad, with the possible exception of fellow pacer Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.
When selecting his team for the series, former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar made the audacious decision to omit Rishabh Pant off the 15-man roster. The former cricket player who is now a commentator selected Sanju Samson as his backup gloveman and KL Rahul as his first choice. Dhruv Jurel was also mentioned by him as a possible number-five selection.
"Can't we pick Dhruv Jurel? Because he has that Test game. In case of a top-order collapse, we need someone who can stabilise the innings at No. 5. Well, I'm just trying to create options, but Rahul will be the first-choice option," said Manjrekar to Star Sports.
"I have been a good believer in Samson. Yes he wasn't scoring runs initially and maybe he isn't a fit down the order. But if India want a big hitter for the last 10 overs...and yes I agree with Bangar (Sanjay Bangar) on Pant," Manjrekar added to Bangar's statment who did not give Pant place in his squad.
Manjrekar called for the squad to get past Suryakumar Yadav in the format and made an "out-of-the-box" idea by selecting Sarfaraz Khan as a backup for the number four position.
"I want to give an out-of-the-box suggestion by naming Sarfaraz Khan. He is unstoppable. He has that ideal ODI batter. At No. 4, I will have Shreyas Iyer. I would rather want to move away from Suryakumar Yadav and want him for T20Is alone as a specialist. I wouldn't mind someone like Tilak Verma at No. 5,” said Manjrekar.
Sarfaraz has never played for India in an ODI and has never been included in the team. The 27-year-old has participated in 37 List A games during his career, scoring 629 runs at an average of 34.29. With a spot for both Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja and no specialist bowlers in the reserves, the former Indian batsman also selected Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Sanjay Manjrekar's India Playing XI for England ODI series
Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami.
Reserves: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan.