England have included three spinners for the series opener against India, giving Tom Hartley his Test debut in Hyderabad.
India superstar Virat Kohli will not play in the opening two Test matches against England due to personal reasons.
Rohit Sharma's explosive batting propelled India to a thrilling T20 international victory against Afghanistan securing the win in two super overs with three sixes.
The International Cricket Council has deemed the Cape Town pitch, where the shortest-ever Test match was recently completed, as "unsatisfactory."
India broke the record for the fastest ever Test win as they levelled the series against South Africa with a victory in the second session of Day Two.
The Proteas recorded their lowest total in Test cricket since readmission on a bizarre opening day of the second Test against India that saw 23 wickets fall at Newlands.