Three frontline spinners named in England XI for first Test against India

England have announced their playing XI for the first Test of the five-game series against India.

With just a day to go for their Test series against India, England have named their playing XI for the Hyderabad encounter.

Ben Stokes leads the side which features three spin options in Jack Leach, Rehan Ahmed and debutant Tom Hartley. Joe Root, who is slated to bat at number four, can also turn his arm over if required, whereas Mark Wood will be the only frontline pacer in the line-up.

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett are the openers, with Stokes, Ollie Pope, and Jonny Bairstow joining Root in the middle-order. Surrey’s Ben Foakes will keep the wickets.

Pope, Foakes, Rehan and Leach return to the XI after missing England’s last Test played against Australia at the Oval.

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

The series runs from 25 January to 11 March.