IND vs ENG: England announce XI for first Test, include just one seamer

England have named just one seamer for the first Test against India starting tomorrow (January 25) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Mark Wood is the only fast bowler in the XI as England are all set to go in with three specialist spinners along with a fourth one in Joe Root. Left-arm spinner Tom Hartley from Lancashire will be making his Test debut.

Harry Brook’s departure from the tour for personal reasons means Ben Foakes also finds himself in the XI for the first Test along with Jonny Bairstow, after there had been widespread speculation regarding who would don the gloves.

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The top six bears a settled look for England otherwise, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett to open, Ollie Pope at three, Joe Root at four, Bairstow at five, and Ben Stokes at six.

Jack Leach will lead the spin department for England with youngsters Rehan Ahmed (on his first Test tour to India), and Hartley (on his first Test tour) for support.

The last time England toured India for a Test series in 2021, they lost 1-3 after taking an early lead. Ollie Robinson, who is part of the squad but won’t feature in the first Test, said that a very different England side will take the field this time around: “The brand of cricket that we’re going to play is obviously going to be different this time. I hope we can get on top of them and push that tour to the back of our minds.”

England XI for first Test vs India