Nayar Endorses Bumrah Comeback, Unveils India XI for England ODI Opener

Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has identified Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah as certainties for the tourists’ playing XI ahead of the first ODI against England at Edgbaston on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The three-match series represents a chance for India to regroup after a winless five-match T20I campaign that ended in a 4-0 defeat.

Nayar laid out a defined structure for the middle order and overall batting balance. The rubber begins against a buoyant England side and doubles as a vital dress rehearsal for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. The second ODI moves to Cardiff on Thursday, July 16, with the series concluding at Lord’s on Sunday, July 19.

“Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli—no questions asked. Shreyas Iyer at No. 4. The vice-captain has to be there. For me, KL Rahul and Axar Patel will be a switch based on the situation, in case you want a left-hander to come in or you want Shivam Dube to come in. That is slightly the versatility that I would want in my batting order,” said Nayar on JioStar.

Why Bumrah’s return reshapes the bowling attack

Nayar emphasized that Bumrah’s return—his first ODI appearance since November 19, 2023—transforms the attack, particularly given his extensive experience in English conditions.

“Having 10 overs of Bumrah is a nightmare from an opposition’s standpoint. Trust me, this is coming from someone who sits in an opposition dugout in the IPL. When you know you have to literally discount the four overs and start planning for the other 16, it makes other bowlers effective as well because you are trying to target them to score those runs,” Nayar noted.

Gurnoor Brar tipped as pace X-factor

For the bowling unit, Nayar selected Shivam Dube as the sole seam-bowling all-rounder, supported by Kuldeep Yadav and Bumrah. He expressed particular enthusiasm for left-armer Gurnoor Brar.

“Having that pace upwards of 140+ kmph with the bounce, that X-factor that you want to groom, and he can bat a bit as well,” Nayar said.

Nayar also underscored the symbiotic partnership between Bumrah and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh as pivotal to India’s prospects in England.

“A lot of Arshdeep’s effectiveness also comes from a Jasprit Bumrah being at the other end. Joe Root, batting for England, is going to be thinking, with the record Bumrah has against him, that Bumrah can get him out, and any spell can turn things in India’s favor. So, Bumrah being back, there will be a happy Gautam Gambhir, a happy Morne Morkel, and a very happy Shubman Gill,” Nayar added.

Abhishek Nayar’s India XI for 1st ODI vs England

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh.

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