On Thursday, England included Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer in the squad for the upcoming Test series against India as skipper Joe Root said the two will be a major boost for the side looking for a crucial series win. The star duo along with Rory Burns will be back with the squad as the visitors have announced a 16-member squad for the opening two of the four Tests in India starting February 5 in Chennai.
England will face an Indian side boosted by their historic Test win in Australia this week, but Joe Root was optimistic despite India’s sensational 2-1 triumph. He said, “I expect India to be full of confidence and in their own conditions they are a very good team. We have to be at our absolute best. But that’s an exciting prospect for us, a great opportunity for us, it’s a great way to aid our development as a side. And we will be going there fully expecting to try and win that series.”
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The shuffling of their veteran pacers was the only change made to the team for the second Test against Sri Lanka. But it is the return of Stokes and Archer for the India series that excites Root. However, Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Curran, and Mark Wood, who are currently in Sri Lanka, have been rested for the first two India matches.
Talking about the same, Joe Root said, “It’s a huge year of Test cricket and also a World Cup, a lot of one-day cricket alongside. We’re going to have to look after players. It’s crucial we’ve got guys who are fit and raring to go, physically and mentally, for everything that’s going to be thrown at us in the next 12 months.”
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England Squad for first two India Tests: Joe Root (capt), 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
