India-England T20Is 2017: Combined XI

Middle-order

Joe Root

One of the few players who have succeeded with an orthodox technique in all formats, Root will be back to being England’s key batsman after missing the Kolkata ODI. In the World T20 last year, he showed why he is such a bankable player, giving his classical shots a flourish and adding a few enterprising ones, like in his knock against South Africa, where he completed a 29-ball 50 with a reverse-swept six, and ended on 83.

He will bring some much-needed stability, playing the sheet anchor’s role with the ability to change gears when required.



MS Dhoni

Dhoni at No.4 is the best position for the former India captain to come in to bat: he has himself conceded that he would ideally want to bat higher to get more time to settle in. Although his figures don’t generate the same excitement as his ODI ones (he is yet to score a single T20I fifty), the captaincy relinquishment will hopefully bring back the Dhoni of old. And if the century in the ODI series is any indication, the 35-year old still has something left in his tank.

He has played just one T20 as a non-captain: against South Africa in 2006.

Jos Buttler

The hard-hitting batsman is now England’s first choice wicketkeeper in ODIs and T20Is, having edged out Jonny Bairstow from the competition. More than his keeping, however, he is known for his blistering knocks down the order, consisting of clean strikes that ease their way to the fence.

The 26-year old is no alien to Indian conditions, having spent his time with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL last year. He himself conceded that the stint helped him get his Test spot back.

He’s played 50 T20Is, churning up runs at a strike rate of over 40, and was amply rewarded with the captaincy of the ODI team in 2016.