The Indian team is set to play a five-match T20I series against England where the side will be led by Suryakumar Yadav. The series opener will be held at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and India will be hoping to continue their dominance in T20Is against a strong England team.

Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson tried his hand at singing a popular Bollywood song and shared the video on Instagram, seeking feedback. Captain Suryakumar Yadav responded, reminding the Kerala star to focus on the upcoming T20I series.

On January 21, amid the ongoing controversy, Sanju Samson’s father, Samson Viswanath, alleged that some figures within the Kerala Cricket Association hold personal grudges against his son. He claimed that his son's exclusion was premeditated, saying:

In recent times, Sanju Samson has emerged among India's top batters in the shortest format. He been in scintillating form, scoring three hundreds in his last six T20I innings for India.

Sanju Samson's omission from India's Champions Trophy squad has been linked to his absence from Kerala's Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign.

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has reaffirmed Sanju Samson's pivotal role in the squad, praising his recent performances and dispelling any doubts about his wicketkeeper position as India prepares for the T20I series against England in Kolkata.

Suryakumar Yadav shares his views on Sanju Samson's place in the Indian squad amidst all the drama surrounding him. Check out what he has said only on CricTracker.

With KCA president Jayesh George last week slamming Samson and affirming that he cannot "turn up for Kerala whenever he feels like", the upcoming five-match T20I series against England has become a crucial iteration for the 30-year-old.

India ride on Abhishek Sharma's 34-ball 79 and a clinical display from bowlers as the hosts beat England by 7 wickets in the first T20I. India take 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Opener Abhishek Sharma starred in India's seven-wicket win over England in the T20 series opener but he chose to give more credit to mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy after the emphatic victory, saying he has been a game-changer for the team since his comeback.

India withstood a four-over burst from a revved-up Archer to race to their target of 133 with seven wickets and 43 balls to spare at Eden Gardens.

The Indian openers got off to a rollicking overture as Sanju Samson (26) and Abhishek Sharma (79) smashed boundaries at will in Kolkata. Despite the equation being tricky for a trice, when India lost two wickets in quick succession in the form of Samson and Suryakumar Yadav (0), the hosts plugged the gap well enough through an unstoppable Abhishek.