England announces squad for Test series against India; includes three uncapped players

The England Cricket Board on Monday announced its 16-member men's squad for a five-match test series against India beginning in January next year. The visitors have included three uncapped players in their squad: Pacer Gus Atkinson, spinners Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir.

Atkinson took impressive 20 wickets at an average of 20.20 in five games this year to help Surrey win the County Championship. He was was a member of England's team during the recent ODI World Cup in India.

Meanwhile, in November, Hartley and Bashir trained in the United Arab Emirates with the England Lions team. Jack Leach also joined them to ace preparations ahead of his return to the squad following an injury.


The team will be led by Ben Stokes while Ollie Pope will be his deputy.

Stokes also announced that he will be unavailable for the upcoming Indian Premiere League stating the need to manage workload and fitness.

Notably, leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, 19, is back in the lineup following his five-wicket performance against Pakistan in December 2022, which made him England's youngest-ever test debutant.

The much awaited India vs England Test series will commence on January 25 in Hyderabad.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is yet to announce the its squad for the series.

England squad:

Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood.
Test Series:

Match No	Dates	Venue
1st test	25-29 January	Hyderabad
2nd test	2-6 February	Vizag
3rd test	15-19 February	Rajkot
4th test	23-27 February	Ranchi
5th test	7-11 March	Dharamsala