Gus Atkinson, 25, has received his first call-up to the Test team as England looks to replace Stuart Broad, who stated he would retire following the Ashes in 2023. On Monday, December 11, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) revealed the 16-man team for the five-match Test series against India. The World Test Championship Cycle (2023–25) will feature this series, which will start on January 25 with the opening match set to take place in Hyderabad. Following a successful knee operation following the ODI World Cup in 2023, captain Ben Stokes will be seen making a comeback to the field. The great James Anderson will spearhead the pace attack once more, assisted by Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood.
Notably, Gus Atkinson had an outstanding run in the County Championship 2023, taking 20 wickets at an average of 20.20 with one fifer in only five matches, helping Surrey win back-to-back titles.
As Moeen Ali’s return to Test cricket was restricted to the Ashes in 2023, off-spinners Tom Bartley and Shoaib Bashir have also received their first Test call-ups, in addition to Atkinson.
The veteran campaigners Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed, who also marked his comeback to the team after being left out for the Ashes, will be seen collaborating with the spin pair. In December 2022, the wrist-spinner made his debut against Pakistan in Karachi and claimed five wickets.
All set for India!
Our 16-player squad for the five-Test series
#INDvENG
| #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/z7UjI634h1
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 11, 2023
England and India will both want to gain significant points in the WTC rankings.
Throughout the five-match series, both India and England will be trying to add significant points to their World Test Championship rankings. Notably, with a points percentage of 66.67% and one victory and one draw under their belt, India is ranked second in the current cycle (2023–25). In contrast, England, with a 15% point percentage from five games—two victories and one draw—occupy the eighth position.
The England team for the upcoming Test series with India
Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Zak Crawley, and Zak
Schedule for the 2024 India vs. England Test series
India against. England, First Test, Hyderabad, January 25–29
Second Test: February 2–6, Vizag, India vs. England
Third Test: India vs. England, Rajkot, February 15–19
Fourth Test: India vs. England, Ranchi, February 23–27
Fifth Test: India vs. England, Dharamsala, March 7–11
India
