Ben Stokes, the captain of England, is keeping all options open in advance of the first Test match of the five-match series against India in Hyderabad. Considering the past, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium‘s surface is predicted to help the spinners. Taking that into consideration, Ben Stokes said he won’t be hesitant to give Joe Root, the team’s part-time spinner, the new ball.
The 32-year-old clarified his remarks by saying that Root possesses the ability to remove the ball from left-handed hitters, which will be useful while facing Indian starter Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Ben Stokes clarified, though, that it all relies on his assessment of England’s game point at that particular time.
It would be entirely based on instinct, much like the majority of my decisions of that nature. Depending on how I’m feeling, you might even witness Rooty accepting the new ball. The Independent cited Stokes as stating, “If (left-hander) Yashasvi Jaiswal opens the batting, you might see Rooty opening the bowling because it’s spinning away from the bat.”
“When choosing a team, consider who will offer you more under particular circumstances and who you believe will give you the best chance of winning. Because of what you may get from the wicket, India is one of those places where selection is something you have to consider far more than anywhere else in the world,” he continued.
In the meantime, England’s opening Test lineup is probably going to include two specialist spinners. It is said that Tom Hartley received his first Test cap because Jack Leach is anticipated to be his partner. As the visitors play Root as the third spinner, Rehan Ahmed, on the other hand, is more likely to wait in the wings.
Ben Foakes, a wicketkeeper-batter, is expected to return to the starting XI, while Jonny Bairstow will bat as a specialist. It remains to be seen if the Three Lions would start James Anderson in the first Test or utilize him in later matches.
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