England Recall Root for ODIs, Stokes Misses Out

Joe Root has been named in England's ODI squad for their upcoming tour of India and the 2025 Champions Trophy, marking his return to the format after last featuring in the 2023 World Cup. Root, currently the top-ranked Test batter, has 171 ODI caps but has been absent from white-ball cricket since November 2023. 

Mark Wood, recovering from an elbow injury, also makes the 15-player squad. However, Test captain Ben Stokes remains sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained during the third Test in New Zealand earlier this month. 

The tour to India, scheduled for January and February, will comprise five T20Is and three ODIs, followed by England's participation in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Root, who turns 34 on December 30, has been included only in the ODI squad. 

These series will be the first under Brendon McCullum's leadership in the white-ball format, following his appointment in September. McCullum will juggle his new role with his responsibilities as England's Test coach. 

Notably, left-arm pacer Reece Topley, along with all-rounders Sam Curran and Will Jacks, has been excluded from both the ODI and T20I squads. Jos Buttler will continue as captain for both formats.

England squad for the T20 series in India: Jos Buttler (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood

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

England itinerary in India:

T20 series

Wednesday, 22 January, Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Saturday, 25 January, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Tuesday, 28 January, Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot

Friday, 31 January, MCA Stadium, Pune

Sunday, 2 February, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

ODI series

Thursday, 6 February, VCA Stadium, Nagpur

Sunday, 9 February, Barabati Stadium, Cuttack

Wednesday, 12 February, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad