Ben Stokes Announced Playing XI , Tom Hartley Will Debut For England :
In a strategic move aimed at exploiting India’s historical vulnerability against left-arm spin, England has handed a Test debut to 24-year-old left-arm spinner Tom Hartley for the series opener at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Hartley joins the formidable spin duo of Jack Leach and legspinner Rehan Ahmed in a three-pronged spin attack, leaving room for only one fast bowler, Mark Wood, in the playing XI.
Hartley, hailing from Lancashire, brings with him a promising record of 40 wickets from 20 first-class appearances, boasting a respectable average of 36.57. India’s susceptibility to left-arm spin in home Tests, particularly against a right-heavy top-order, influenced England’s strategic decision. Adding to the spin arsenal, England can also turn to the off-spin of Joe Root if the need arises. Root, England’s talismanic batter, showcased his bowling prowess with a five-wicket haul during the team’s last tour of India in 2021.
England’s Playing XI for Hyderabad
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Jonny Bairstow
- Ben Stokes (C)
- Ben Foakes (wk)
- Rehan Ahmed
- Tom Hartley
- Mark Wood
- Jack Leach
The decision to field three spinners means that veteran James Anderson misses out on a spot in the XI. While not an entirely novel strategy in this part of the world, it’s a departure from the traditional English lineup. Australia adopted a similar approach last year with Todd Murphy and Scott Kuhnemann alongside Nathan Lyon, but crucially, they had seam-bowling all-rounders, Cameron Green and Ben Stokes, as backup.
Spinner Shoaib Bashir, part of the squad, is yet to join the team in India due to visa processing delays. His absence prompted a quick return to the UK from Abu Dhabi, where the squad had been training.
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As confirmed by captain Ben Stokes, Ben Foakes will take up the wicketkeeping duties, while Jonny Bairstow will feature as a specialist batter at No.5 in the lineup. With this spin-heavy strategy, England is set to test India’s resilience in familiar conditions and set the tone for an intriguing series.
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