In a recent development, the England national cricket team has suffered a major injury setback ahead of the second T20I of the five-match series against India. Young founder Jacob Bethel is a doubt for the upcoming match, which is scheduled to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on January 25.
Jos Buttler's side started the T20I series against India with a seven-death loss at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22. England scored just 132 runs after being asked to bat first during the opening match. In response, Team India chased down the target with over seven overs to spare.
Jacob Bethel is doubtful for the upcoming T20I match versus India
Telegraph Sport journalist Will Macpherson reports that Jacob Bethell missed training in Chennai due to illness. He added that Bethel is doubtful for the second T20I against India.
“England training in Chennai. Jacob Bethell is not here as he is unwell, so he is at least a doubt for tomorrow's 2nd T20,” Will Macpherson wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
England training in Chennai. Jacob Bethel is not here as he is unwell, so he is at least a doubt for tomorrow's T20
– Will MacPherson (@willis_macp) January 24, 2025
England announce 12-member squad for Chennai T20i Clash
On Friday, England announced their 12-member squad for the upcoming match. Brydon Carsey replaced Jos Atkinson in the line-up, while wicket-taker Jimmy Smith was included in the squad. Smith could replace Jacob Bethel if the latter does not recover from illness.
England squad: Ben Duckett, Philip Salt (W), Jos Buttler (C), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Jamie Smith
England wrote on the X.
🚨 Team news for the 2nd T20i v India tomorrow
brydon Carse comes in for Gus Atkinson
🆕 Jamie Smith has also been added to the 12-man squad pic.twitter.com/fr4hju00qs
– England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 24, 2025
Braydon Carsey replaces Jos Atkinson for England tomorrow. Jimmy Smith will come in for Jacob Bethel if he doesn't recover from illness.
– Will MacPherson (@willis_macp) January 24, 2025
Hardik Pandya dismissed Jacob Bethel, who managed just seven runs off 14 balls in India's debut outing. The 21-year-old struggled against the Indian spinners and attempted an aggressive shot against Pandya. However, he missed the shot and was caught deep by Abhishek Sharma on the leg side.
Bethell has played eight T20Is, amassing 180 runs at an impressive strike rate of 153.84 and an average of 45.00. He has played in 61 T20s, scoring 1,111 runs at a strike rate of close to 140. Bethell is an orthodox left-handed spinner, which makes him an important spinner, especially in India's spin-friendly conditions.
India's T20I record at Chepauk: 1 win, 1 loss
The second T20i between India and England in a five-match series is scheduled to be played on Saturday, January 25, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The game will start at 7:00 p.m., with the toss scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
India has played two T20Is at Chepauk Stadium so far, with one win and one loss. The first match was played in September 2012, when New Zealand defeated India by one run. Brendon McCullum scored 91 off 55 to help the Kiwis reach 167-5, while India fell behind despite Virat Kohli's 70 off 41.
India's most recent T20I at the venue was against the West Indies in November 2018, where they secured a six-death victory. Shikhar Dhawan scored 92 runs off 62 balls, and Rishabh Pant added 58 runs off 38 balls while chasing 182 runs on the last ball.
