CRICKET POLL

Joe Root has returned to the England ODI fold for the first time post the 2023 World Cup as he was named in the 15-man squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The same 15-member squad will play the ODI series in India prior to the global event.

Ben Stokes, the Test captain, might have also been in line for a recall to the 50-over squad but the ECB confirmed that he wasn't picked as a result of a hamstring injury he sustained recently during the final Test against New Zealand.

Root wasn't considered for 50-over cricket post England's poor World Cup defence in India last year where he made only 276 runs at an average of 30.66 with the team handing out opportunities to a younger crop. However, the white-ball series in India will be Brendon McCullum's first as the all-format head coach that has seen the veteran's return to the set-up.

Mark Wood and Jofra Archer lead a strong pace attack that also has the likes of Saqib Mahmood, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton. Jacob Bethell's rise over the last few months has seen him get picked for his first ICC tournament whereas Jamie Smith has made the cut too with Will Jacks getting overlooked.

The same squad has been chosen for the five-match T20I series as well with the only exception being Rehan Ahmed coming in place of Joe Root. The tour kicks off with the T20Is, beginning from January 22 whereas the ODI series will be played between February 6-12.

ODI squad for India series and CT- Jos Buttler (C), Phil Salt, Mark Wood, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Ben Duckett, Brydon Carse, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Joe Root

T20I squad - Jos Buttler (C), Phil Salt, Mark Wood, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Ben Duckett, Brydon Carse, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Rehan Ahmed