The England selectors, on Thursday, announced the 16-man squad for the first two Tests of the tour of India, with key bowler Jofra Archer and star all-rounder Ben Stokes returning to the first-team.
The first two Tests will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with the first game scheduled to begin from February 5 to February 9.
The England and Wales Cricket Board have brought in changes to their rotation policy, and thus, the trio of Sam Curran, Mark Wood, and Jonny Bairstow will be rested following their participation in the ongoing Test series in Sri Lanka.
16 players 🏴
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 21, 2021
6 travelling reserves 🏏
All the details here 👇
Opening batsman Rory Burns, who was on paternity leave, also returns to the squad while wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler will depart after the first Test. Burns’ return means there will be a selection dilemma for the opening batsmen slot, with Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley contesting for a place at the top of the order.
Ollie Pope, recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in September during the Test series against Pakistan, will be travelling with the England team and will be added to the squad, when fit.
England squad for first two Tests against India: Joe Root captain), Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali , James Anderson, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes , Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes
Reserves: James Bracey, Mason Crane, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Robinson, Amar Virdi
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / BCCI
