On the eve of the second Test against India, England skipper Joe Root confirmed that the pace duo of Jofra Archer and James Anderson will be available for the third Test, scheduled to be played in Ahmedabad from February 24.

See Also: Kevin Pietersen feels debate on captaincy is a distraction that Virat Kohli doesn't need

Having won the series opener at Chepuak, the visitors have decided to rest the 38-year-old Anderson for the second Test while Archer will miss out after having an injection in his right elbow.

"Jofra bowled better than his figure suggested in the first game. Brilliant start back into the Test team for him, of course, it's a setback but the good news is it looks like he will get himself ready for the third game. So as long as he uses the next couple of weeks wisely and looks after him, he should be fully fit and ready to go for the rest of the series," Root said in a virtual press conference, as quoted by ANI.

"Everyone was in favour of him (Jimmy) being available for this game but you also look at the bigger picture. Ideally, if he is available for the two of the last three that is the huge asset for the team," he added.

England on Friday (February 12) announced their 12-man squad for the second Test, slated to be held in Chennai.

The tourists have dropped off-spinner Dom Bess while wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler returned home as a part of England’s rotation policy.

Coming to the squad, England have opted to go with Dominic Sibley and Rory Burns as openers followed by Daniel Lawrence, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope.

With Buttler’s unavailability, Ben Foakes will perform the role of a wicketkeeper while Moeen Ali replaces Bess.

Left-arm spinner Jack Leach, who claimed 6 wickets in the opening Test, retained his place in the squad while seasoned campaigner Stuart Broad comes in for Anderson. Right-arm pacer Olly Stone and all-rounder Chris Woakes have also been named in the 12-member squad. 

Root said the final call between Stone and Woakes will be made after looking at the pitch condition.

"He (Stone) has made enough of every opportunity he had. he is certainly looking very good in and around training. We are looking at sort of players who might not have a lot of game time but there is the freshness of mind, freshness of body and a huge amount of excitement about playing. I think that can really work in our favour going into this match," he remarked.

"The way we picked the 12 players we got two ways to go -- we can have a similar balance team to the last Test match with an extra bit of pace from Olly Stone or we can have Chris Woakes coming into the fray and really capitalise on that reverse swinging control and try to build pressure. We will make those decisions before the match," he further stated.

Commenting on Bess, Root said the off-spinner does not need to feel sad and he needs to work on his consistency.

"It wasn't an easy decision. Dom's contributed fantastic in the three games and made a real impact. With him missing out, the messaging for him moving forward is the key to working at that consistency of his game and delivering that skill time and time again. He is very young and very much at the start, it doesn't mean he will be pushed back down," the England captain concluded.

(With ANI inputs)