Jasprit Bumrah Rested, Rahul Uncertain
India rested pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the fourth Test against England starting February 23rd in Ranchi. KL Rahul, who missed the second and third Tests, will not play in the fourth Test as well. His participation in the final Test in Dharamsala depends on his fitness.
Heavy workload prompts rest for Bumrah. He’s already thrown 80.5 overs across the first three Tests, and with the IPL and T20 World Cup looming (starting June 1st), the team prioritizes his fitness.
Speculation swirled about resting Bumrah for Rajkot, but tied 1-1, he played. Released from the third Test squad in Rajkot, Mukesh Kumar rejoined the team in Ranchi.
Released from the Indian squad, Mukesh Kumar dominated in the Ranji Trophy. Playing for Bengal against Bihar, he ripped through their batting with a career-best haul of 10 for 50, leading his team to a crushing victory.
India now leads the five-match series 2-1 after a record 434-run victory in Rajkot, and they will have to find a way to make up for Bumrah’s absence: he’s the leading wicket-taker in the series with 17 wickets at 13.64 apiece.
He was the Player of the Match in India’s win in the second Test in Visakhapatnam, where he took 9 for 91 across both innings.
Mukesh vs. Akash Deep: Who Fills Bumrah’s Void?
During the second Test against England, when Mohammed Siraj was rested, Mukesh took the field. It states that Mukesh Kumar bowled only 12 overs and took 1 wicket in Vishakapatnam. There’s no need to change it further.
If India opts for a two-pronged pace attack in Ranchi, Mukesh Kumar and the uncapped Akash Deep will vie for the second seamer’s spot.
Akash Deep earned his call-up to the squad for the last three Tests after topping the wicket charts for India A in their recent first-class games against England Lions.
In Hyderabad’s first Test loss, Rahul smashed 86, highest for India, then missed the second Test with a quad injury.
He entered the third Test squad conditionally, later ruled out due to a sore knee.
India and England clash again this Friday, only 4 days after the last Test ended. The fifth and final Test starts March 7th, with an 8-day break after the fourth Test on February 27th.
My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.
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