England Suffer Double Blow With Keeper Out For 2 Matches And Archer Missing India ODI

England will look to make a strong comeback in the three-match ODI series after a disappointing 4-1 defeat in the T20I leg. However, preparations for the Champions Trophy 2025 have received an injury blow ahead of the India ODIs.

Telegraph has reported that Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith is ruled out of the first two matches with a calf injury. There are no concerns, however, regarding his availability for the ICC event. Jacob Bethell, who filled in during the T20I series, could once again step up as Smith's replacement.

On the hand, Jofra Archer is to play two of the three ODIs in India, ahead of the Champions Trophy. Archer has been smart with his workload management after his constant injuries. He is known for his express pace and for the ability to generate bounce - something that has been a hallmark for England.

Phil Salt and Jos Buttler will be the wicketkeeping options for England, but in that regard, Jamie Smith's availability added an alternative option behind the stumps. However, his absence would have been hugely noticed in batting, where his aggressive game added variety to the lineup.

Smith replaced Jacob Bethell in the second T20I and featured in one more game before his injury occurred. He had scored just 28 runs in two innings but impressed highly with an explosive strike rate of 175.

Meanwhile, Buttler hasn't kept wickets since coming back from a calf injury, playing only as a batter in the recent T20Is. Phil Salt is likely to replace him as wicketkeeper for England in the series, which starts in Nagpur on Thursday (February 6). Salt has three ODI caps.

India vs England ODI Series 2025 Schedule

India vs England ODI Series Squads

India ODI Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.

England ODI Squad: Jamie Smith, Jos Buttler (c), Philip Salt, Mark Wood, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Liam Livingstone, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood.