With a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, the Indian team management has decided to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the fourth Test, starting in Ranchi from February 23. The call came along the expected lines, with an eye on managing the fast bowler’s workload. Over the first three Tests, Bumrah had bowled 80.5 overs.
KL Rahul, too, won’t be available for the fourth Test, as he is yet to recover fully from a quadriceps injury. The middle-order batsman was included in the squad for the last three Tests, although his match participation was subject to fitness. Rahul had to sit out of the Rajkot Test and after the match, when Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, was asked about his team-mate’s fitness, he spoke about how he expected Rahul to be “OK” for the Ranchi fixture. The player’s progress hasn’t been satisfactory.
“Jasprit Bumrah has been released from the squad for the 4th Test against England in Ranchi,” stated the BCCI media release. “The decision was taken keeping in mind the duration of the series and amount of cricket he has played in recent times.”
Bumrah had to be away from cricket for 11 months due to a lower-back stress and after returning from the injury last year, he has played almost without a break, especially in the last five-odd months, starting with the 50-over World Cup. The team management considered resting him for the third Test, but with a nine-day gap between the second Test and the third, Bumrah decided to play. As the Indian team checked in at their Ranchi hotel on Tuesday, the 30-year-old Bumrah was absent. He will return for the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala that commences on March 7. With 17 scalps from three Tests at 13.64, Bumrah is the highest wicket-taker in the series. Also, he has dismissed Joe Root thrice.
In Bumrah’s absence, medium pacer Mukesh Kumar, who was released from the squad ahead of the third Test, has been called back. “Mukesh Kumar, who was released from the squad for the third Test in Rajkot, has joined the squad in Ranchi,” said the release.
As regards to Rahul’s injury, the BCCI said: “Meanwhile, KL Rahul is ruled out of the 4th Test. His participation in the final Test match in Dharamsala is subject to fitness.”
India’s updated squad for the 4th Test: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep.
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