Follow UsEngland have named Joe Root in their playing XI for the first ODI of the three-match series against India in Nagpur on February 6 (Thursday).
Root, who last played an ODI in 2023, had a great SA20 in South Africa but hasn’t had great numbers in the 50-over format since 2020. In 28 ODIs in this period, Root has managed 666 runs at a mediocre average of 28.96 and a strike rate of 81.8.
"Very excited, it's great being back involved. It's obviously been a while so to be around the group, play with a few lads who I have not seen in a while is very exciting and of course what a great venue to get back to," Root said in a video posted by England Cricket.
"We have had Baz for quite a while now in the Test team and you know what he's going to bring. The way he looks at the game fits nicely with how the team sets up, the skillsets we have, I think it's a really exciting mix and when you put all of them together, the sky's the limit for this team."
"It's pretty obvious, being the most senior batter in the team, I'm just looking forward to getting my teeth into it to be honest. The more you play, the more experience you have, the more you've got to give as well which is exciting when you're working with such talented young batters in the squad. Watching their journey, being a part of it as well, I am looking forward to it."
Paceman Saqib Mahmood, who featured in the fourth T20I in Pune and claimed three wickets in the game, is also part of the England team.
Apart from the aforementioned two, England have named the same team that featured in the fifth and final T20I against India in Mumbai, which they lost by 150 runs. England lost the T20I series by a margin of 4-1.
Once the ODI series concludes on February 12, both teams will leave for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Phil Salt (wk), Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (capt), Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Byrdon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood.