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Xtra Time Web Desk: After the one-off test match between India and England, the focus now shifts to white ball series. Although it will be a low-key affair, considering both teams will be without their superstars, it will still be a thrilling contest.

India will be bolstered by the return of their captain Rohit Sharma after he missed the Edgbaston Test. Rohit has tested negative since and even had a net session in Birmingham. Rohit’s return would see either Sanju Samson or Ruturaj Gaikwad missing out on their place in the team. Gaikwad featured in the series against South Africa, while Samson made a comeback against Ireland in the former’s absence. Ishan Kishan featured in both those tours, will open in KL Rahul’s absence.

Following his consistent scores Deepak Hooda will keep his place at No 3. Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik and Axar Patel will make the rest of the batting line-up.

Harshal Patel displayed his credentials as an all-rounder smashing a fine half-century on Sunday against Northamptonshire. A death-overs specialist, Patel will pair up with veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the attack.

Yuzvendra Chahal is also likely to retain his place on the team. The leg spinner was impressive against Ireland and followed it up with a good spell against the Northants. India however does have a selection conundrum when it comes to the third pacer, with Umran Malik, Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh vying for a place in the team.

Both Umran and Arshdeep were seen having a long work-out at the practice wickets next to the main strip at the Ageas Bowl. VVS Laxman was at the helm during the practice session on Wednesday at Ageas Bowl, at least for the series opener, before Rahul Dravid takes over once again.

On the other hand, after a successful run chase in Test cricket, England will be getting ready to push the boundaries even further, this time in T20I cricket. After Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes ushered in the new era in grand style, it is now the turn of Mathew Mott and Jos Buttler to lay down their own marker.

It will be Buttler's first game as full-time captain following Eoin Morgan’s retirement. None of the members who featured in the Edgbaston Test will be in action in the T20I series opener. The hosts will heavily rely on the big hitting of Jason Roy, Liam Livingstone and Dawid Malan.

A stress fracture of the lower back put Sam Curran out of last year's T20 World Cup and the Ashes, but the allrounder is rising once again, having proven his form and fitness in the Netherlands ODIs and for Surrey.

India XI (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Ishan Kishan, 3 Suryakumar Yadav, 4 Deepak Hooda, 5 Hardik Pandya, 6 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 7 Axar Patel, 8 Harshal Patel, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 Umran Malik/Arshdeep Singh