Tom Hartley is set to make his Test debut as one of three specialist spinners in the England side for the first Test against India in Hyderabad.
Left-armer Hartley, 24, joins Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed as the slow bowlers in the XI, with Mark Wood the only fast bowler.
Stokes had already confirmed that Ben Foakes will return to keep wicket in what will be his first Test since February, while batter Harry Brook is out after leaving the tour for personal reasons.
Lancashire’s Hartley has taken 40 wickets in 20 first-class matches and has also played two one-day internationals for England.
“Looking at past tours, you can see how spin may give us a better opportunity,” captain Ben Stokes told BBC Sport.
“We feel having the three out-and-out spinners will give us the best chance.”
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