Wed Jan 22 15:50:00 UTC 2025: ## India’s Sharma Faces Make-or-Break Series Against England

**Kolkata, India –** India’s upcoming five-match T20I series against England, starting Wednesday at the Eden Gardens, will be a crucial test for young batsman Abhishek Sharma. The left-hander, touted as a potential replacement for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the shortest format, has shown flashes of brilliance but lacks consistency. His blistering century against Zimbabwe in July 2024 highlights his potential, but his overall T20I average of 23.27 remains a concern.

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes this series is a make-or-break opportunity for Sharma. Chopra stated that unless Sharma performs exceptionally well, he risks being replaced by other contenders. The series will also see the return of veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, bolstering the Suryakumar Yadav-led side ahead of the Champions Trophy. England will welcome back pacer Mark Wood to their lineup.

The series pits two batting powerhouses against each other, with Chopra predicting a high-scoring affair. India holds a slight edge in their head-to-head record against England in T20Is (13-11), having won five of their last seven encounters. The series will travel to Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and conclude in Mumbai on February 2nd. The outcome will not only determine the series victor but also significantly impact the future of several players in both teams.

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