India v England: Shoaib Bashir, Tom Hartley and Gus Atkinson earn first Test call-ups

The England squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against India includes uncapped 20-year-old Somerset off-spinner Shoaib Bashir. Bashir, who has played only six first-class matches since his debut in June, joins Surrey fast bowler Gus Atkinson and Lancashire left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, both uncapped at the Test level despite previous appearances in white-ball cricket.

The first Test is scheduled to begin in Hyderabad on January 25. Batter and vice-captain Ollie Pope, along with left-arm spinner Jack Leach, make their return after recovering from injuries. Ben Stokes, who underwent knee surgery after the World Cup, will lead the team as captain but will only play as a batter, not a bowler.

The England Test squad also includes other notable players such as James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Zak Crawley, and Joe Root. Bashir, despite his limited first-class experience, impressed with 10 wickets in six matches in 2023 and contributed to Somerset’s T20 Blast victory before earning a spot in the England Lions squad.

According to Rob Key, the managing director of England men’s cricket, Shoaib Bashir is considered “very raw” but has a “really high” potential. The team aims to provide him with valuable experience, and Key emphasized that Bashir’s selection marks the beginning of a journey toward developing a world-class spinner.

The squad also features the return of wicketkeeper Ben Foakes and leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, along with notable exclusions, including Liam Dawson and Chris Woakes. Key explained that the team has chosen bowlers like Anderson and Robinson for their ability to use reverse swing, with expectations of seeing Chris Woakes playing a significant role in future matches.

The Test series against India is set to be a challenging task for England, considering India’s top ranking in Test cricket. England last drew a series 2-2 against India at home in 2021-22 and hasn’t won a Test series in India since 2012-13.