England has disclosed its Test squad for the anticipated tour of India in 2024, scheduled to span from January to March. The team, led by Ben Stokes, features a trio of uncapped players. The squad includes Stokes, Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, and Mark Wood.
The pace battery showcases the inclusion of Gus Atkinson, who demonstrated excellent form in the County Championship last summer. Atkinson, along with Anderson, Mark Wood, and Ollie Robinson, constitutes a formidable pace attack. Atkinson had earlier been part of England’s World Cup campaign in India earlier that year.
The squad also incorporates Hartley and Bashir, both of whom were part of the England Lions squad that underwent training in the United Arab Emirates the previous month. Vice-captain Ollie Pope and Jack Leach, who are returning to Test duty after recovering from injuries, joined them in the UAE for intensive preparations, as stated by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Although Jos Buttler is not included in the squad, Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow are named as the two wicketkeepers. Foakes, who did not play in any Ashes game, may be preferred as the specialist wicketkeeper on the expected turning pitches in India. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett have retained their spots after a successful Ashes campaign, while the middle-order is fortified by the presence of Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Jonny Bairstow.
Ben Stokes, who recently underwent successful knee surgery in November, has been entrusted with the captaincy for the Test series. Stokes is in the process of recovery with the aim of returning during the India series. Notably, Chennai Super Kings released Stokes ahead of the IPL 2024 auction, citing his unavailability for the tournament.
The England team, undergoing a transformation in its style of play since the challenging Ashes series in Australia in 2021-22, has been on a victorious streak. After a Test series loss in West Indies, the team witnessed significant changes in its leadership structure. Ben Stokes took over as captain from Joe Root, and Brendon McCullum assumed the role of head coach. The team has adopted a fearless style of play termed ‘Bazball.’
In a recent interaction in Bengaluru, McCullum acknowledged the difficulty of defeating India in their home conditions but affirmed that there would be no deviation from their aggressive style of play. He expressed excitement about the upcoming challenge against a formidable Indian team in the five-test series, emphasizing the desire to test themselves against the best. McCullum conveyed confidence that the team would face the challenge with their distinctive style, emphasizing the importance of the approach even in the face of potential setbacks.
