England National Cricket Team have faced a massive blow ahead of the ODI series against the India National Cricket Team. As per the reports in the Telegraph, it is learned that keeper-batter Jamie Smith has been ruled out of the first two games of the series.
The reports claimed that Jamie Smith would be missing the first two games of the ODI series against the India National Cricket Team due to a calf injury. He was part of the five-match T20I series and played two games, which was his debut series.
Jamie Smith expected to be fit for the last match of the series against India and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Jamie Smith, although will be missing the first two games of the series, is expected to be fit for the last match of the series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With him being ruled out, it is expected that either skipper Jos Buttler or Phil Salt will be keeping the wickets.
Apart from this, it is learned that Jofra Archer also won’t be available for one of the three ODIs of the series. He will be playing two games in the series, while Saqib Mahmood will be a sure-shot pick for the first ODI against the India National Cricket Team.
Rehan Ahmed has been asked to stay with the team with the team for the three-match ODI series
The report also mentioned that leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been asked to stay with the team with the team for the three-match ODI series. The leg-spinner was supposed to go home as he wasn’t part of the team for the ODI series as well as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Jamie Smith expected to miss the first two ODIs with a calf injury, back for the last one and Champions Trophy. Jofra Archer to play 2/3 ODIs in India, and Saqib Mahmood is in the XI for the first on Thursday. Rehan Ahmed, who was supposed to go home, has stayed for the ODIs
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) February 4, 2025
The ODI series between the India National Cricket Team and the England National Cricket Team is all set to begin on 6th February in Nagpur. The series will be essential for both teams as it will be the last for them ahead of the ICC Champions 2025, which will begin on 19th February.
England haven’t performed well in the ODIs since the ICC World Cup 2023
England National Cricket Team had a poor outing in the T20I series against the India National Cricket Team. They looked clueless with the bat and ball in the entire series and ended up losing the series by the margin of 4-1. Their win came in the 3rd T20I in Rajkot.
England, of late, haven’t performed well in the ODIs. They were one of the worst performers in the ICC World Cup 2023. They lost six matches in the tournament and failed to defend their title, which they won in 2019 after beating New Zealand in the final.
Even after that, things didn’t go in their favor as they lost three consecutive series. The Jos Buttler-led side were at the receiving end of losses at the hands of West Indies (twice) and Australia. They would be keen to make a comeback and win the series against India.
Read Also: “He doesn’t have to…”: Ravichandran Ashwin sends strict message to Virat Kohli ahead of England ODIs
