India vs England ODI Series 2026: Kohli and Rohit Return, Three Games Across Birmingham, Cardiff and Lord's

India vs England ODI Series 2026: Kohli and Rohit Return, Three Games Across Birmingham, Cardiff and Lord's

India and England have played 110 ODI matches against each other. India have won 61. England have won 44. Three ended without result. Two finished in a tie.

That history means something when the two sides meet at Edgbaston on July 14 to kick off a three-match ODI series. This is the back end of India's white-ball tour of England — five T20Is followed by three ODIs at three of the most iconic venues in English cricket. The T20 series did not go India's way. The ODIs are the reset, with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma returning to the side after sitting out the shortest format.

Three matches. Three venues. Birmingham, Cardiff, London. Every game matters.

The Series

Shubman Gill leads India's ODI side for this series. He won his first ODI series as captain when India beat Afghanistan 3-0 on home soil before this tour. Shreyas Iyer is his deputy. Jasprit Bumrah returns to the ODI squad after being rested for the Afghanistan games. Kohli was subject to fitness clearance and has passed it — his return to the fifty-over side for these three matches is the biggest storyline heading into Birmingham.

England, under Harry Brook's captaincy, are playing at home and are slight favourites. Jofra Archer is their pace spearhead. Joe Root provides the batting anchor. Their ODI cricket under Brook has been aggressive and positive across every phase.

The Squads

India ODI Squad

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India Squad Overview

Notable absences and changes: Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out with a left quadriceps injury sustained in the Afghanistan series — replaced by Shivam Dube. Harshit Rana out with a hamstring injury — replaced by Prince Yadav. Kohli returned after missing Afghanistan due to his own hamstring injury.

England ODI Squad

Notable addition: James Coles handed a maiden ODI call-up after a standout domestic season. England's most exciting new cricketing talent and their hope for the next generation.

Match 1: India vs England

Edgbaston, Birmingham | Tuesday July 14, 2026 Match starts 11:00 AM GMT | 4:30 PM IST | 7:00 AM ET

The series opener at Edgbaston sets the tone for everything that follows. Edgbaston is a ground India know well but England love — it is one of their most reliable home fortresses and a venue that can swing on its axis depending on the toss and first-hour conditions.

The key questions heading in: can Kohli find form immediately on his return? Can India's bowling attack contain England's top order in the powerplay? Can Gill lead from the front as he did in Afghanistan? Jofra Archer's pace at Edgbaston under overcast conditions in mid-July is the single most dangerous thing England bring to this match.

Match 2: India vs England

Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | Thursday July 16, 2026 Match starts 12:00 PM GMT | 5:30 PM IST | 8:00 AM ET

Cardiff's Sophia Gardens has traditionally been a batting-friendly surface with shorter boundaries. The game here — just two days after Edgbaston — gives little time for recovery or tactical recalibration. Whoever wins Match 1 comes to Cardiff with momentum. Whoever loses needs to respond.

Match 3: Series Finale at Lord's

Lord's, London | Sunday July 19, 2026 Match starts 10:00 AM GMT | 3:30 PM IST | 6:00 AM ET

The iconic home of cricket. Whatever the series situation by Sunday, Lord's provides the perfect backdrop for a conclusion. The famous slope from the Grandstand End to the Nursery End creates bowling challenges unlike any other ground in the world. For India's younger bowlers, it is a new experience. For Bumrah, Kohli and Rohit — veterans of the big stage — it is another opportunity.

Full Schedule

Key Match-Ups to Watch

Jofra Archer vs Virat Kohli — Kohli returning from injury, Archer at his home conditions. The Edgbaston opening hour could be defined by this contest.

Jasprit Bumrah vs England's top order — Bumrah in English conditions with the Kookaburra ball swinging is as difficult a bowling challenge as any batter faces in ODI cricket. Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell will need to be disciplined.

Axar Patel vs England's middle order — Axar's left-arm spin in the middle overs, particularly against right-handers, will be central to India's bowling plan. How England approach him through overs 20-35 shapes the match.

Shubman Gill as captain — his first ODI series abroad as India's leader. How he reads conditions, manages rotations, and leads under pressure at three different English venues across six days is the storyline that cuts across every game.

Read More about India's Tour To England 2026 : INDIA'S TOUR TO ENGLAND 2026 SCHEDULE