Jacob Bethell has been recalled to the England Test squad for their series opener against India, but fast bowler Gus Atkinson has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. 

Bethell missed the innings victory over Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge last month while on Indian Premier League duty for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

Atkinson is likely to miss the first two Tests of the series after the injury he picked up against Zimbabwe, joining Mark Wood, Jofra Archer and Olly Stone on the sidelines. 

But England have responded to a lengthy pace-bowling injury list by naming Jamie Overton in the squad, with Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse also included. 

Josh Tongue and Sam Cook are also in, but there is no place for Matthew Potts in the group of five frontline seamers for the series opener at Headingley. 

A simply HUGE series awaits

Our squad for the 1st Test is HERE

#ENGvIND

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 5, 2025

Overton won his only cap at Headingley, the venue for the first Test on June 20, against New Zealand in 2022, in which he made 97 runs and took a wicket in each innings.

He broke his finger during an ODI against the West Indies last week, but has jumped ahead of Potts as seam-bowling cover for the upcoming five-match series. 

England were confident that Atkinson would recover from injury in time for the first Test, but he was deemed unavailable for selection, leaving their seam options depleted.

Warwickshire's Bethell impressed in three Tests in New Zealand before Christmas, making half-centuries in the second innings of each, batting at number three.

In Bethell's absence against Zimbabwe, Ollie Pope made a sublime century in his regular spot of number three. 

Since then, Bethell has further impressed in England's one-day team, making a sparkling 82 in the first ODI against West Indies.

England squad for first India Test

Ben Stokes (captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.