Fri Jan 24 07:30:38 IST 2025: ## India Favored in Chennai T20 Against England
**Chennai, India** – India will look to extend their 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against England when the teams meet at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on January 25th. While India secured a convincing 7-wicket victory in the series opener, England will be aiming for a comeback.
The pitch at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium is known to be spin-friendly, potentially leading India to field three spinners. This could mean less playing time for pacer Mohammed Shami, with Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya likely to be the primary pace options.
Historically, the Chennai pitch, while spin-friendly, has also offered support to batsmen in T20 matches. Recent trends suggest a relatively flat wicket, although dew could play a significant role. Teams winning the toss have generally opted to bat first. In the two previous T20Is played at this venue, India won one and lost one (a narrow 1-run defeat to New Zealand in 2012). Their last match there was a 6-wicket victory against West Indies in 2018.
Statistical analysis reveals that teams batting first have won 49 out of 87 matches (57.65%) at the venue, while the average first innings score is 163.89. Overall, India holds a significant edge in head-to-head T20I matches against England, winning 14 out of 25 encounters.
First Piper 