Bairstow, who was rested for the first two Tests as part of England's rotation policy, is back with the squad and is expected to play the Day/Night Test
England's bowlers struck an early psychological blow ahead of next month's series against New Zealand when they ripped through a near-test strength batting line-up in a practice match on Tuesday.
Andrew Flintoff said his decision to tour India for the Test series has nothing to do with his Indian Premier League ambitions and asserted security would not be a distraction for his teammates in the two-Test series starting in Chennai on Thursday.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to field against England in the fifth One-Day International at the Barabati stadium in Cuttack on Wednesday. India brought in left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan in place of Munaf Patel and Rohit Sharma replaced the in-form Gautam Gambhir.
The England pace bowler believes increased competition for places prevents him from taking his place for granted.
Fast bowling coach Troy Cooley says Australia have the superior pacemen going into this year's Ashes series.
England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is doubtful for the second Ashes Test against Australia at Lord's starting on Thursday after suffering pain in his right knee during the drawn first Test in Cardiff.
Yorkshire pace bowler Tim Bresnan was a surprise inclusion in the England squad announced on Wednesday for the first Test against West Indies starting at Lord's in a week's time. Essex all-rounder Ravi Bopara was also named in the 12-man squad and is likely to bat at number three after the selectors omitted former captain Michael Vaughan, Ian Bell and Owais Shah.
India went into the first Test with one spinner in Anil Kumble, while Yuvraj Singh lost the battle for a No 6 or 7 slot to VVS Laxman and M S Dhoni.
England have been weakened by the absence of strike bowler Steve Harmison and, possibly, Matthew Hoggard too, and the Indian batsmen will be hoping to make hay in the first Test.
The fast bowler is down with back spasms and likely to miss the first Test between India and England.
India went in with the same side that won the opening Test by six wickets in Chennai. For England, Stuart Broad, who missed the first Test due to a hamstring injury, replaced Steve Harmison.
Former captain David Gower is impressed by the persuasion skills of England captain Kevin Pietersen, who convinced his scared teammates to land in Abu Dhabi for the preparation of the Test series against India.
Recalled England fast bowler Steve Harmison took two wickets in two balls and James Anderson captured three to help dismiss South Africa for 194 on Kevin Pietersen's first outing as Test captain on Thursday.
Matthew Hoggard was named in the England squad for the first Test against Pakistan despite a hand injury.
England fast bowler Steve Harmision was ruled out of the game due to a sore throat with Kabir Ali replacing him.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored an undefeated 116 on Monday but could not push the West Indies to its first away Test victory against England since 2000.
After Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff, England spinner Graeme Swann too has developed cold feet and is reluctant to tour India following the terror strikes in Mumbai. Swann said though he has full faith on security adviser Reg Dickason, who is yet to give a go-ahead to the tour, he is not particularly keen on returning to India for the two-match Test series.
The West Indies, chasing an unlikely victory target of 455, were 22 for one at the close after having bowled England out for 313.
The West Indies included pacemen Corey Collymore and Fidel Edwards for Ian Bradshaw and Dwayne Smith in the team for the match against England.
Matthew Hoggard has points to prove to both the selectors and the England batsmen if he makes the starting XI for Thursday's opening Test against New Zealand at Lord's. Hoggard, the fulcrum of the England pace attack since the turn of the century, was jettisoned along with Steve Harmison when his team unexpectedly lost to the Kiwis in Hamilton this year.
England's selectors kept faith with the players who beat New Zealand earlier this year by naming an unchanged team, plus fast bowler Matthew Hoggard, in a 12-man squad against the same opposition for this week's first Test. The selectors chose the team which came back from 1-0 down to win the series in New Zealand 2-1 in March.
The Pakistan paceman is hoping to extend his playing days by cutting back on one-day international appearances.
Collingwood hit an unbeaten 80 and impressed in the field as England cruised to a 152-run win in their ICC Champions Trophy match.
England were set a victory target of 246 after bowling out Sri Lanka Cricket President's XI for just 81 and chased down the target in 61 overs.
'I'm very passionate. I feel I've got the support of the men behind me to take the team forward. That's not changed at all.'
There was no place for fast bowler Steve Harmison also, as the ECB included four uncapped players for the three-Test series against Sri Lanka, starting on December 1.
India's Test opener Wasim Jaffer says, if given the opportunity, he would certainly like to prove his worth in the shorter version of the game as well.
Wisden named Strauss, Giles, Harmison, Trescothick and Robert Key as the five cricketers of the year
The Aussie wicketkeeper reached hundred off 57 balls in the third Ashes Test against England on Saturday.
England coach Duncan Fletcher confirmed that he will tour Zimbabwe for the one-day series scheduled in December.