Root Confirms Stokes, Archer Return To England Squad Against India

Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer will return to the England side for their India Tests starting next month, with captain Joe Root saying Thursday the players will give the team a "major boost." Stokes and

"I expect India to be full of confidence and in their own conditions, they are a very good team. They play some very good cricket," he told reporters.

"We have to be at our absolute best. But that's an exciting prospect for us, a great opportunity for us, it's a great way to aid our development as a side.

"And we will be going there fully expecting to try and win that series. But we have got a lot of hard work to do before we get there. We got a big Test match here."

Root's 228 was crucial to winning the opening Test by seven wickets but England bowlers twice bowled out the hosts in Galle.

The tourists are due to shuffle their pace options in the second game, but it is the return of Stokes and Archer for the India series that excites Root.

The two key players are expected to be announced in the Test squad for India to be revealed Thursday.