England all-rounder Ben Stokes boarded the flight on Saturday to travel to India for the four-match Test series starting from February 5. The start cricket has been rested from England’s Test squad which is currently playing in Sri Lanka. The last time England played a Test series in India back in 2017, they lost the series 4-0. Alastair Cook was leading the team back then and Stokes was a part of that team. Virat Kohli won the Man of the Series scoring 655 runs in five matches.
Meanwhile, this team is led by Joe Root with Ben Stokes being one of the key players in the side. England are currently in the fourth position in the WTC points table. India are leading the table courtesy their Test series win over Australia in Australia. Stokes averages only 27.25 versus India but has fared decently with the bat in Indian conditions (345 runs at 38.33 along with 8 wickets).
Also Read: Graeme Swann Weighs In On The Upcoming India-England Series
The England all-rounder announced the news of his arrival on Twitter. He wrote, “See You Soon India” posting a picture of himself boarding the flight.
See You Soon India: Ben Stokes
See you soon India ✈️🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/TrGHG3iuy3
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) January 23, 2021
The England and Wales Cricket Board announced a full-strength squad for the Test series. Joe Root along with Stokes, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad and James Anderson will be the key players for England in the Test series. Currently, their batsmen are facing issues playing against the Sri Lankan spinners. More spin awaits the team in the upcoming Test series.
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.
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
Reserves: James Bracey, Mason Crane, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Robinson, Amar Virdi
Also Read: India Announce Squad For The First Two Tests Against England; Virat Kohli Returns
