Root returns for England in opening ODI against India
England batsman Joe Root will make his first ODI appearance since 2023 after being named in the team to face India in the opening match of the series in Nagpur on Thursday.
Root, England's leading Test run scorer and second on the ODI list behind Eoin Morgan, will bat at number three behind openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett.
His last ODI appearance was at the 2023 World Cup against Pakistan at Eden Gardens, scoring 60 runs from 72 deliveries as England beat Pakistan by 93 runs.
England captain Jos Buttler is hoping the arrival of the former Test captain for the three-match series will be invaluable for those also within the squad.
Buttler also confirmed that Root will hold the same role in the batting order he performed admirably during England's triumph in the 2019 World Cup.
"He'll bat number three," said Buttler, who himself will move to five, in Wednesday's pre-match press conference. "He's one of the great players of the game in all the formats.
"He's obviously been a vital part of ODI cricket for England for a long time, and I'm excited to see him in this phase of his career.
"Look what he's done with the Test stuff where he's not had the captaincy, he's back with that cheeky smile on his face and really enjoying his cricket.
"I expect him to do exactly the same in this environment. He's got loads of experience in ODI cricket, which will be great for some of the guys who haven't played as much.
"He's been a vital player for England in all formats, and we feel like he's got a crucial role for us to play in these games."
For the first time since 2023... Joe Root is back in ODI colours
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 5, 2025
Your England team to face India tomorrow pic.twitter.com/M7AEPCPpxk
Root has come in and out of the ODI side since 2019 due to his commitments to the Test team, where he has operated brilliantly since relinquishing the captaincy two years ago.
Thursday is set to be his 172nd ODI appearance for England, and he will be hoping to add to his 6,522 runs in the format.
With Root's position in the batting order already confirmed earlier on Wednesday, the release of England's full starting XI later in the day for Thursday's match was announced.
Jacob Bethell has been preferred to Jamie Overton at number seven with Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood the three-man pace attack.
Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith is out with a calf injury he picked up during their 4-1 T20I series defeat.
England confirmed XI to play India:
Phil Salt (WK), Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (C), Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood.