England Cricket Team have named a star-studded 16-member squad for the first two Tests against Team India starting from February 5 in Chennai. Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, and Rory Burns have been named in England’s 16-man squad while Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, and Mark Wood have been rested.

Incidentally, Archer and Stokes were rested from the ongoing series against Sri Lanka as England’s policy to rest multi-format players during the post-Christmas winter schedule. Burns also missed the Sri Lanka Tests on paternity leave. On the other hand, Bairstow, Curran, and Wood, all of whom have been selected in England’s team for the second Test in Sri Lanka beginning on Friday (January 22), will head home.

Moeen Ali, Ollie Pope to travel with England squad to India

Meanwhile, England all-rounder Moeen Ali, who missed both the Tests against Sri Lanka after falling ill with COVID-19, is also included in the squad to face Virat Kohli’s men. Furthermore, young batsman Ollie Pope, who is currently with the squad in Sri Lanka recovering from a dislocated shoulder he suffered last summer, will remain with the tour party in India and be officially added to the squad once he is deemed fit enough.

Also Read: India Announce Squad For The First Two Tests Against England; Virat Kohli Returns

The touring side has all named six reserves as a cover-up for injuries and illness, who are also currently in Sri Lanka. Those traveling from Sri Lanka will fly to Chennai on a charter flight after the conclusion of the second Test in Sri Lanka. The Daily Mirror reported that Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, and Joe Burns will fly on a commercial flight to India from home.

Joe Root & Co will announce a squad for the final two Tests against India in due course.

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