The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that ace India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the fourth Test against England. He has also been released from the squad and will be expected to rejoin the team for the fifth Test that is scheduled to be played on March 7 in Dharamsala.
India are currently leading the five-match series 2-1 after losing the Hyderabad Test and Jasprit Bumrah has been rested due to the workload management of the pacer. He has sent down 80.5 overs in this series so far and is the leading wicket-taker as well despite all the focus being on the spinners.
Dale Steyn lauds Jasprit Bumrah for excellence across conditions
BCCI, in its release, also confirmed that the decision was taken keeping in mind his workload. “Jasprit Bumrah has been released from the squad for the 4th IDFC First Bank Test against England in Ranchi. The decision was taken keeping in mind the duration of the series and amount of cricket he has played in recent times,” the statement from the BCCI read.
Bumrah is a key member of the team across all formats and India will certainly miss him in the fourth Test especially if the pitch is on the flatter side. The pace bowler had tilted the scales in India’s favour massively when the chips were down in Vizag (2nd Test) picking up a six-wicket haul in the first innings. His ability to generate reverse swing in these conditions is massive and definitely, the home side will miss Bumrah’s presence in the fourth Test.
Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see who replaces him in the playing XI for India as the hosts will look to seal the series in Ranchi. Mukesh Kumar has joined the squad again after playing for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy during the third Test. He returned with 10 wickets in that game but didn’t perform to the expectations in the second Test which India won picking up only a solitary wicket.
Akash Deep is another pace bowler in India’s Test squad at the moment and there is every chance of him getting his debut as well. The right-arm fast bowler has impressed in red-ball cricket not only for his state side but also for India A and accordingly was included in the squad for the last three Tests.
Meanwhile, in a massive blow for India, KL Rahul’s recovery from injury hasn’t gone according to plans. He has been ruled out of the upcoming fourth Test in Ranchi that is set to get underway on February 23. Moreover, his availability for the fifth Test is also subject to fitness.In his absence, India’s middle order comprising Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar has fared decently with the former smashing twin half-centuries on debut.
India’s updated squad for fourth Test after Jasprit Bumrah was rested
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.
