No James Anderson; 3 Spinners & Joe Root To Lead Attack In England’s Playing XI vs India
James Anderson (AP Photos)
In a surprising call, England dropped James Anderson for the first of the five-match Test series against India, starting on January 25 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Instead, the visitors decided to bring in three designated spinners, consisting of Jack Leach, Rehan Ahmed, and Tom Hartley, whereas Mark Wood is their only frontline pacer.
Ben Stokes, who was doubtful for the series opener due to a lack of match preparations, will continue to captain England. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who have been reaping rewards for Bazball, will be the openers.
Ollie Pope will follow them, and Joe Root, who is thought to be England’s most promising all-rounder under these circumstances, will bat at his preferred No. 4. Jonny Bairstow will play as a specialist batter, while Ben Foakes will don the big gloves behind the stumps.
England's Playing XI vs India
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, Jack Leach
This will be the first Test match for Tom Hartley, a slow left-arm orthodox who is very similar to Jack Leach. Rehan Ahmed, who is a leg-break and can also be handy with the bat, will be the other specialist spinner.
Notably, there have been drastic changes in England’s playing XI, with Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed and Jack Leach among the ones who did not play for them in their previous Test against Australia at The Oval.
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