JACK Leach has retained his place in England's squad for the second Test against India, but his former Somerset team-mate Dom Bess is left out.

Leach took 4-76 in India's second innings to help England secure a 1-0 lead in the four-match series, but Bess' form dipped as the match went on, and his spin bowling spot has been taken by Moeen Ali.

Moeen missed the two Tests in Sri Lanka after testing positive for Covid-19, and England kept faith with Bess and Leach for the first Test in Chennai.

Captain Joe Root admitted taking Bess out of the firing line had not been easy, but believes both the player and the team will benefit in the long run.

"It was a very difficult conversation," he said.

"It always is when you leave a player out and especially so when it's someone like Dom who has contributed well and gives absolutely everything every time he pulls an England shirt on.

"It's been made very clear what he needs to go away and work on and he's taken that on board.

"I'm sure he'll come back with questions and I'm sure he will be disappointed, but that's what you expect from guys that really care and want to be out there all the time, performing for their country.

"He's got a very good attitude. He's still very much at the start of his career and he'll use this as an opportunity to get better."

As well as Moeen, Stuart Broad, Ben Foakes, Olly Stone and Chris Woakes come into the squad, with James Anderson being rested and Jofra Archer ruled out due to an elbow injury.

Ex-Somerset star Jos Buttler is to miss the rest of the series, as part of England's pre-planned 'rest-and-rotate' policy, so Foakes will take over wicketkeeping duties.

England squad for second Test: Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Ben Foakes (wk), Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.

The match begins tomorrow (Saturday, 4am UK time), with Chennai's M.A. Chidambaram Stadium the venue once more.