The two-time World Test Championship runners-up have announced a 15-strong group for the matches in Hyderabad (January 25-29) and Visakhapatnam (February 2-6)
Mohammed Shami's absence is the major headline from the unveiling of India's squad for the first two Tests against England.
The leading wicket-taker at the Men's Cricket World Cup has not played since the Ahmedabad final due to an ankle injury.
Shami described his recovery as "well on track" but he has lost the race to be fit for the start of the series, which kicks off in Hyderabad on January 25.
Visakhapatnam's ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium then hosts the second Test from February 2.
Ishan Kishan has been left out amid his break from cricket but there is a maiden Test call-up for Dhruv Jurel.
Mohammed Shami has lost his race to be fit for the first two Tests (GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Ishan Kishan remains out amid a self-imposed break from cricket (RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)
The absence of Shami means Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan will lead the seam attack.
Meanwhile, the hosts, who have not lost a home Test since 2012/13 against England, have a quartet of spinners to select from including Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.
The series continues with the third (Rajkot, February 15-19), fourth (Ranchi, February 23-27) and fifth (Dharamsala, March 7-11) Tests which will be accompanied by a fresh squad announcement.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Avesh Khan
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