Jonny Bairstow: England yet to confirm wicketkeeper plans for India Test series

Bairstow had the gloves in six of England's eight Tests in 2023 but frequently came under scrutiny during the Ashes. Ben Foakes is also in the 16-strong squad

England are yet to confirm who will take the gloves during the upcoming five-match Test series against India, according to Jonny Bairstow.

The 34-year-old was behind the stumps in six of England's eight Tests in 2023, taking 29 catches and completing one stumping, but often found himself under scrutiny due to a number of errors during the Ashes.

Ben Foakes, whom Ben Stokes has previously described as the "best wicketkeeper in the world", has been recalled for the India tour.

The pair are part of a 16-strong group that will fly to the UAE next week ahead of the first Test, which is scheduled to begin in Hyderabad on January 25.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Bairstow said: "I've not spoken to anyone about that.

^{Bairstow kept wicket for England last summer but often came under scrutiny [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

"As long as I'm over there, as long as I'm fit and firing, the selection decisions will be taken out of my hands. I'm fairly happy with where I'm at, whether I'm keeping, batting or whatever it is."

Bairstow has kept wicket in 55 of his 95 Test appearances and averages 37.63 with the gloves compared to 36.62 without.

Foakes, meanwhile, has been the designated wicketkeeper in each of his 20 Tests, taking 57 catches and six stumpings and scoring 934 runs at 32.20.

He was England's wicketkeeper in New Zealand at the start of 2023 when Bairstow was sidelined with a leg injury and also featured three times during the 2021 tour of India, posting a top score of 42 not out.

England, who are searching for their first men's Test series win in India since 2012, lost 3-1 when they last toured India in 2021, with spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (32 wickets at 14.71) and Axar Patel (27 wickets at 10.59) causing problems for their batters.

^{Ben Foakes has been recalled for the India series [Phil Walter/Getty Images]}

Bairstow, however, isn't getting bogged down in any talk about whether Bazball will work in India, instead stating the series result will come down to how well England adapt to the conditions.

"India can produce different pitches. It doesn't have to turn. We've seen how potent their seam attack has been. I'm sure the pitches will turn; it's whether or not they turn from day one.

"There's been a lot of talk around Bazball. It's a positive way of playing cricket, it's a way in which we're trying to entertain people. In India we know the conditions are going to be slightly different. It's a case of can we adapt quick enough and well enough to the conditions and play suitably?

"Obviously, last time Axar and Ashwin played well. They're quality spinners, so we know they're going to come at us. Axar, whether he plays, whether he doesn't, whether [Ravindra] Jadeja plays, Kuldeep [Yadav] might play – we'll have to wait and see. There's no point in overthinking things before their squad is announced [and] before we see the pitch."

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