Gautam Gambhir Visits Kalighat Temple To Offer Prayers Ahead Of India Vs England 1st T20I At Eden Gardens; Video

After string of poor results in last few months Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir decided to seek divine help to turn around Team India's fortune. Ahead of the first match of the five-match T20I series, Gambhir Offered Prayers At Kalighat Temple. The first match of the T20I series against England will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Team India is set to face Jos Buttler-led England side at home starting with five match T20I series. The Men in Blue will then face England in a three-match ODI series, which will serve as a crucial warm-up for the Champions Trophy, slated to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.

Mohammad Shami looks to make impact on return

While India will look to make a positive start at home, the real test will be for Mohammad Shami whpo is making a comeback from lengthy injury. The Bengal pacer has not played a single match since the ODI World CUP last year owing to injury. However the series against England will be crucial as it will be a test of his strength and fitness.

Before being picked up in Indian team, SHami justified his selection by playing couple of domestic matches. The 34-year-old made his competitive return in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal, guiding them to their first win of the season with a seven-wicket haul.

He followed it up with impressive performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (11 wickets) and the Vijay Hazare Trophy (five wickets).

India vs England series schedule

After Eden Gardens both teams will head to Chennai for the second T20I (January 25), before travelling to Rajkot (Jan 28), Pune (Jan 31) and Mumbai (February 2) for rest of the matches. The ODI contest will begin in Nagpur on February 6, followed by Cuttack (February 9) and Ahmedabad (February 12).