The England selectors have opted for a second seamer for the first time in the series, having played three frontline spinners in the last two Tests. 

Rehan Ahmed has been selected and it is understood that his visa issues have been solved. 

The teenage leg-spinner's single-entrance visa expired the moment he left for England's mid-series break in the United Arab Emirates and he was initially red-flagged upon the team's return to India on Monday. He was granted an emergency two-day visa.

England go into the Test with the series level at 1-1 after the opening two Tests in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.

Captain Ben Stokes, who will be playing in his 100th Test match, will now have Wood and 41-year-old James Anderson to call upon in this Test.

On bringing in Wood for Bashir, Stokes said: "Taking a bit of knowledge from the last Test match we played here, albeit a long time ago, it was a pretty true, flat wicket.

"Looking at it today, it looks a bit platey but I think it's a good wicket.

"Bringing in an extra seamer this week is the option we've gone with because we think it's going to give us the best chance of winning this week."