England wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow will return to their Test squad after the first Test. He will be available for the second Test at Chepauk. Bairstow was initially rested for the first two Tests against India that will start on February 13.
England batting coach Graham Thorpe said on Friday in a virtual interaction: “He is coming after the first Test into the squad.”
Bairstow was scheduled to join the team after the second Test. But considering the situation, he will arrive early.
England had rested Jonny Bairstow along with all-rounder Sam-Curran and pacer Mark Wood. But resting the 31-year-old keeper was criticised by former England cricketers who considered Bairstow as one of the best spin players in England currently.
However, head coach Chris Silverwood backed the decision and said, “I’m perfectly happy with the system we’re using at the moment. I stand by it”.
“We’ve got to look after our people. We’re spending a lot of time locked in hotel rooms inside biosecure bubbles and it’s not easy,” he told.
Bairstow marked his Test comeback through the series in Sri Lanka where he was involved in two of some big partnerships.
