England make the decision to select just one pace bowler for the first Test with India in Hyderabad.
Ben Stokes leads his side into their first outing in the five-day arena since the Ashes series with Australia concluded at the back end of July.
In sharp contrast to that series played in favourable pace conditions, England will line up with just one fast bowler - Mark Wood - when their opening contest with India commences on Thursday.
Rather than include at least one of James Anderson, Ollie Robinson or Gus Atkinson in support, Stokes has opted to go with three frontline spinners.
Left-armer Tom Hartley comes in for his Test debut, with the 24-year-old's only previous experience of international cricket being failing to take a wicket in 10 overs on the one-day stage.
Jack Leach makes his return from the back injury that ruled out him of the Ashes, while Rehan Ahmed makes just his second Test appearance, the first seeing him take seven wickets on debut in Pakistan in December 2022.
Left-arm offie Tom Hartley will make his England Test debut tomorrow 🧢
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 24, 2024
No James Anderson as the visitors go with three frontline spinners and Mark Wood for the first Test #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/l9xCdVai64
Speaking on the selection, Stokes told BBC Sport: "Looking at past tours, you can see how spin may give us a better opportunity. We feel having the three out-and-out spinners will give us the best chance.
"The decision was on looking at the pitch and thinking who we are going to get more out of," said Stokes, who is not fit to bowl following surgery on his left knee.
"Would we play two seamers, or an extra spinner? It is no disrespect to the seamers we have out. Pitches and conditions might change as the tour goes on, then we might have to look at a different dynamic."
With Harry Brook having ruled himself out of the tour due to personal reasons, Ben Foakes comes into the team as wicket-keeper, with Jonny Bairstow being used as a specialist batsman.
Darren Plant
