Sam Curran backs Harry Brook for England Test captaincy, England XI announced for second T20 vs India

Image: Curran has been tipped as a potential white-ball captain if Harry Brook were to vacate the role

Sam Curran has backed Harry Brook to become England's next Test captain, but remained tight-lipped on his own prospects as a potential white-ball skipper should Brook take on the role.

Curran has been named in the playing XI for England's second T20 against India at Old Trafford, live on Sky Sports on Saturday at 2.30pm. The line-up also hands a T20I debut to Josh Tongue and sees the return of Jofra Archer, with Saqib Mahmood and Luke Wood making way.

The all-rounder returned to the squad for the series following an impressive T20 World Cup campaign, in which he was a key performer. Curran could be in contention to take the white-ball captaincy if it is determined that Brook cannot hold both limited-overs and red-ball captaincy simultaneously.

Curran on Brook's Leadership

Tipped for his own Test return following the retirement of all-rounder Ben Stokes, Curran cited Brook's experience and leadership qualities before placing his support behind him to fill the vacancy.

"[Brook] has been amazing with us. We've had a really successful six months. It's been really enjoyable.

>

"He's obviously such a world-class player and only he will know if he can do all three jobs — but my experience with him, it's been amazing.

>

"If he does, who knows what will happen.

>

"He's probably going to be the only guy who can judge whether he can do all of them, but he's a phenomenal player and I'm sure if he does, guys will back him."

Curran Dismisses White-Black Captaincy Speculation

Curran currently serves as Surrey's captain in the T20 Vitality Blast and MI London captain in the Hundred, but was quick to fend off suggestions that he could be next in line as international white-ball skipper.

"Well, I don't know, of course," he said when asked if he would take the captaincy.

>

"But like I said, Brooky has done an amazing job with us. Everyone's speculating, I think it's pointless in a way.

>

"Let's just try and crack on with this series and see how we go, because I think this team's doing really well.

>

"[I'll] just enjoy being back in the side — I had time out of it, and it's been great [to be back in]."

England XI to Face India

• Phil Salt
• Jos Buttler
• Harry Brook (captain)
• Jacob Bethell
• Tom Banton
• Sam Curran
• Will Jacks
• Liam Dawson
• Jofra Archer
• Adil Rashid
• Josh Tongue

Curran Praises 'Incredible' Sooryavanshi — But Warns of 'Different' England Challenge

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is part of India's squad. The teenage phenomenon — who led the IPL in run-scoring and strike rate — is being tipped for a potential debut after being left out of both of India's matches in Belfast.

"Well, I guess it's an incredible story!" Curran said. "I watched a lot of the IPL from home and it's just watching a guy who makes it look so easy.

>

"It's truly incredible and — rightly so — he's getting the attention he deserves.

>

"England will probably be a different challenge as well."

Related Coverage

• Ben Stokes backs Harry Brook as England's next Test captain
• Bazball burns where it was born as England face uncertain future

Listen to our pundits on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast Stream England cricket and more without a contract on NOW