Stokes unveils spin-heavy XI for England's Test opener in India

• England announed playing Xi for the first Test against India.
• Stokes named four spinners and one pacer.
• Bashir returned to UK amid a delayed visa.

For the first Test match between England and India, which takes place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad from January 25 to 29, the playing XI has been announced.

England will play their first red-ball match under Ben Stokes since the Ashes in 2023, when they overcame a 2-0 deficit to square the series at 2-2 after one match ended in a rain-related draw.

With favorable weather and a slow pitch in mind, Stokes decided to send out four spinners and one pacer, Mark Wood.

Ben Foakes will take on the job of wicketkeeper, while Jonny Bairstow will play as a specialist middle-order batsman, after Harry Brook withdrew from the series due to personal reasons.

England playing XI

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pop, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, Jack Leach

In an effort to maintain their pristine red-ball record at home, India has not yet revealed their playing XI. Rohit Sharma is currently assembling the ideal team to take the field in Hyderabad.

It should be mentioned that Virat Kohli of India cited personal reasons for his withdrawal from the first two Test matches. However, because of a delayed visa, England's uncapped spinner Shoaib Bashir returned to the UK.

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