IND vs ENG: Jasprit Bumrah rested for Ranchi Test, KL Rahul ruled out
Star India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been released from the squad for the fourth Test of the ongoing India vs England Test series scheduled to begin on Friday, February 23 at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi. The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) revealed the decision was taken keeping in mind the workload of the Indian pace spearhead.
Notably, Bumrah is the leading wicket-taker of the series so far with 17 wickets to his name from six innings at an average of 13.64 and an economy of 2.87. Along with him, star batter KL Rahul has been ruled out of the fourth Test as well due to injury. Rahul complained of right quadriceps pain after the first game in Hyderabad and hence was ruled out of the squad for the second game of the series.
He was called back along with Ravindra Jadeja in the squad for the remaining three Tests but was once again released ahead of the third game as he failed to regain match fitness. Rahul’s participation in the fifth Test in Dharamsala is also subject to his fitness.
Ahead of the recently concluded Test in Rajkot, there were widespread talks of resting the Bumrah to manage his workload. However, the management decided to play the seamer as his reverse swing prowess was much needed on the Rajkot’s flat deck.
The 30-year-old has played five Tests since December 26, 2023, and has bowled 129.2 overs across five games. Bumrah also finished as the leading wicket-taker of recent two-match Test series against South Africa picking 12 wickets from three innings at an average of 12.91.
He was recently awarded Player of the Match for registering his second-best Test match figures of 9/91 during the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam. Following his match-winning performance, he also climbed to the top of the ICC Test bowling rankings dethroning his teammate Ravichandran Ashwin from the top spot.
Mukesh Kumar re-joins squad for remaining two Tests
Meanwhile, seamer Mukesh Kumar, who was released from the squad for Ranji Trophy duties ahead of the third Test, has re-joined the team. In Bumrah’s absence, it will be interesting to see whether the team management decides to go with Mukesh or Akash Deep as the second seamer for the fourth Test with Mohammed Siraj. India are leading the series by 2-1 and will be eager to seal it in Ranchi.
