England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow has been dropped from the first two Tests against India to be played in Chennai from February 5. Bairstow, Sam Curran, and Mark Wood were rested by the national selectors for the first two Tests beginning in Chennai on February 5, a decision which was criticised by former England skippers Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen. Jos Buttler and Ben Foakes have been selected as the two specialist keepers for the first two Tests.
Also Read: Michael Vaughan Reacts To Jonny Bairstow’s Absence From England Squad vs India
Meanwhile, Bairstow has reacted to his omission from the first two Tests against India. The right-hander was overlooked despite his rich experience of playing in Indian conditions in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“If they hadn’t given me the break now, then when? It’s the way of the world at the moment. There’s no one who plays all three formats who is doing the whole tour. It’s tricky. It’s a huge summer and winter and sadly you can’t do everything. You do need to get out of the bubble and see your loved ones” Bairstow was quoted as saying by ‘Evening Standard’.
He further said that he will be raring to go after the break in the remainder of the series. England will tour India between February 5 to March 28 for four Tests, five T20Is and three ODIs. Chennai will host the first two Tests. The final two Tests will be played at the newly built stadium in Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad will host the T20I series followed by Pune for the ODI series.
Jonny Bairstow on India Series
“After a rest, I’ll be raring to go in India” said Jonny Bairstow.
Jonny Bairstow was in the England squad which clean swept Sri Lanka in the two-Test match series at Galle recently. The wicket-keeper batsman looked in control in the Asian conditions and scored 47, 35 in the two innings of the first Test. In the second Test, Bairstow managed to get scores of 28 and 29 in the two innings.
England squad for first two Tests vs India
Joe Root (captain), 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
Also Read: Kevin Pietersen’s Advice To England Batsmen on Playing Indian Spinners
