The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced England's playing XI for the first T20I of the five-match series against India. This match will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22.

After the opening match in Kolkata, the remaining matches will be played in Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai. After the T20I series, England will also play three ODI matches against India.

Jos Buttler, England's white-ball captain, will play as a specialist batter in the forthcoming series, while Harry Brook has been designated vice-captain.

As England named its playing XI for the first T20I against India in Kolkata, Brendon McCullum, England's head coach, has stated that all players will have an opportunity to play at some stage during the series. 

Ben Duckett and wicketkeeper Phil Salt will open the innings for England, with Jos Buttler coming in at no. 3. Big hitters Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, and Jacob Bethell form a formidable middle order for England. Adil Rashid is the lone specialist spinner in the playing XI.

Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, and Mark Wood are the pacers included in the England XI for the first T20I.

When it comes to head-to-head encounters in T20Is, the two teams have been closely matched, with the Men in Blue holding a narrow 13-11 advantage in 24 meetings.

England Playing XI:

Phil Salt (WK), Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (C), Harry Brook (VC), Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood