Bairstow, Wood, Curran rested for first two India Tests

London: Jonny Bairstow, Mark Wood and Sam Curran have been rested by England for the first two Tests against India, starting on February 5 in Chennai.

In their place, England have recalled Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Rory Burns, all of whom have been rested for the ongoing series in Sri Lanka.

Ben Foakes, the wicketkeeper-batsman, has also been included in the squad, with Jos Buttler set to fly home after the first Test. Ollie Pope, who is nursing a shoulder injury in Sri Lanka at the moment, will continue his rehabilitation in India, and could play a part in the series if he passes fitness.

England and India will play in a four-Test series, with the first two matches set to played in Chennai, before the series moves to Ahmedabad for the final two Tests.

The third Test of the series will be a day-night encounter, starting on February 24.

England squad (for the first two Tests): Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler*, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes. (UNI)