Coles earns maiden call‑up as England name 17‑member squad for T20Is against India
London, June 22
Uncapped left-arm spin bowling all‑rounder James Coles has earned his maiden call‑up to England's T20I team for the upcoming five-match series against India, starting on July 1 at Chester-le-Street in Durham.
Harry Brook will lead the squad, which also features returns for Jordan Cox, Sonny Baker and Saqib Mahmood, all of whom missed the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year. Pacer Brydon Carse and seam-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton are unavailable due to injuries.
Coles, who became the most expensive buy of the 2026 Men's Hundred competition, had stints with Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20 and for England Lions. In 61 T20 innings, Coles, 22, has amassed 1,373 runs at an average of 28.60 and a strike rate of 146.37, including hitting seven fifties.
Coles, who became Sussex's youngest first‑class debutant at 16 years and 157 days, has also made an impact with the ball - claiming 53 wickets at an average of 26.94 and an economy rate of 8.27, including three four‑wicket hauls.
"James Coles is an exciting addition and has earned his place following his performances with the England Lions and in T20 competitions here and abroad during the past 12 months.
"We have selected a larger squad to accommodate for the fact that this series will begin shortly after the Test series against New Zealand is due to conclude which allows us to be flexible," said national selector Marcus North in a statement on Monday.
Interestingly, Brook and Jacob Bethell will face a quick turnaround, with the first T20I against India scheduled to begin less than 48 hours after the conclusion of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, provided the match lasts for all five days.
Following the series opener in Durham, England and India will play rest of their T20I games at Old Trafford in Manchester (July 4), Trent Bridge in Nottingham (July 7), Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol (July 9), before concluding at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on July 11.
England squad: Harry Brook (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue and Luke Wood
— IANS
Reader Comments
Five T20Is is going to be a proper test for both sides. England's squad looks balanced - Rashid and Dawson will be key against our batters. Just hope the weather in England doesn't play spoilsport! ☔
Good to see Brook leading the side - he's been in great form. But honestly, where's Mark Wood? And that turnaround from Test to T20I is crazy tight. ECB needs to manage player workload better. India's bench strength will be tested too.
Coles being the most expensive buy in The Hundred and now an England call-up - that's a proper Bollywood-style rise! Hope he lives up to the hype. India's spinners will have a good chance to trouble this English lineup. 💪
England's squad looks strong on paper but their bowling attack seems inexperienced. Archer is back but still finding rhythm. India should target their middle overs. Also, Bristol and Southampton - lovely venues for cricket! 🇮🇳
One thing I love about English cricket is how they give chances to young players without too much fuss. Coles has earned it with consistent performances. Meanwhile, our selectors should also look beyond the usual names for this series. Just saying!
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