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

"You speak to any side in the world, those two guys coming back into it would give the squad a huge boost and it's certainly the case for us," said Root.

"We (will be) excited to see them back in and around the squad. Hopefully, they are full of energy and ready to go when they get here."

Root said it is important to rest players in the current bubble life of touring teams. 

This year's cricket calendar remains packed including the Twenty20 World Cup.

"It's a huge year of Test cricket and also a World Cup, a lot of one-day cricket alongside. We're going to have to look after players," said Root.

"It's crucial we've got guys who are fit and raring to go, physically and mentally, for everything that's going to be thrown at us in the next 12 months."

England will travel to India from Sri Lanka with the first Test scheduled in Chennai on February 5. They will also play five T20 matches and three one-day internationals.