England unveiled their playing XI for the inaugural Test against India, commencing on January 25 at the Ranji Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. In a surprising move, veteran pacer James Anderson, on his sixth Indian tour and with a commendable record of 34 wickets from 13 Tests at an average of 29.32 on Indian soil, was omitted from the lineup.

The English team’s composition incorporates three spinners, notably featuring Lancashire’s left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, who is set to make his Test debut. Leading the spin department will be left-arm orthodox bowler Jack Leach, accompanied by right-arm leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed. The sole fast bowler in the Three Lions’ XI for the opening Test is Mark Wood.

The opening pair for England will consist of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, followed by Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Jonny Bairstow. Skipper Ben Stokes, recovering from knee surgery, will play as a specialist batter at No. 6, with Ben Foakes designated as the wicketkeeper-batter in the playing XI.

England’s playing XI for 1st Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, Jack Leach