Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Saba Karim has picked Team India’s playing XI for the first T20I against England. Surprisingly, the former national selector omitted in-form Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the final XI. Sooryavanshi recently smashed a blistering knock of 94 runs off just 29 balls in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka A.

Furthermore, he accumulated a total of 776 runs in 16 matches of IPL 2026 for Rajasthan Royals to finish as the highest run-getter in the tournament. However, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are expected to be the first-choice openers for India on the UK tour and Karim backed the duo to open the innings. Samson was the star of the show for India in 2026 T20 World Cup, scoring 321 runs in five matches in the mega event.

The former gloveman picked Ishan Kishan at one drop and backed newly appointed skipper Shreyas Iyer to bat at number four. Iyer has replaced Suryavakumar Yadav at the helm and would look to lead from the front.

Karim selected India’s vice-captain Tilak Varma to bat at number five, followed by hard-hitting all-rounder Shivam Dube at number six.

Axar Patel is the spin-bowling all-rounder at number seven in Karim’s team. Karim picked Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh as the three fast bowlers and backed Varun Chakravarthy as the specialist spinner.

Saba Karim’s India’s playing XI against England for 1st T20I: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy.

India will play the first T20I against England on 1st July at Chester-le-Street, Riverside Ground.