India have named four spinners in their squad for the first two Tests of their forthcoming series against England, but experienced seamer Mohammed Shami is not yet fit to take part.
Shami is currently recovering from an ankle problem and hopes to feature later in the five-match series, which begins in Hyderabad on January 25, while fellow pace bowler Prasidh Krishna (quad) is also out.
Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav did not travel to South Africa for the recent Test series against the Proteas but come back into contention on home pitches which are expected to take lavish turn.
They join Ravichandran Ashwin and allrounder Ravindra Jadeja in a strong 16-man party that will contest the opening games of the five-match series in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.
Last time England toured India in 2021, they crumbled in the face of extreme turn as Ashwin and Patel combined to take 60 wickets.
Uncapped wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel is one of three wicketkeepers named by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, joining KL Rahul and KS Bharat, with Ishan Kishan still out after missing the recent South Africa tour for personal reasons.
Rohit Sharma continues to lead the side, assisted by vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah.
India squad for first two Tests against England: R Sharma (c), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, V Kohli, S Iyer, KL Rahul, KS Bharat, D Patel, R Ashwin, R Jadeja, A Patel, K Yadav, M Siraj, M Kumar, J Bumrah, A Khan.
Australian Associated Press
