By: Aditya Ahuja
The Indian cricket team will be without the services of Jasprit Bumrah for the first time as they face England in the potentially series-deciding fourth Test at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) Stadium in Ranchi, beginning tomorrow.
India currently leads the five-match series by 2-1.
After losing the first Test, India bounced back and won the second one in Visakhapatnam. They carried forward the winning momentum and outplayed England in the third Test in Rajkot to go 2-1 up in the series.
India Team Overview
The absence of premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah is a concern, but India will be brimming with confidence against England’s seemingly depth-less ‘Bazball’ approach.
India has two options for fast bowlers: Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar to replace Bumrah. They can even opt for four spinners if the Ranchi wicket favours spin, and Axar Patel might find himself back in the squad. However, given that India already boasts three quality spinners in Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Kuldeep Yadav, it is likely that either Akash Deep or Mukesh will get a game.
On the batting front, there have been questions about Rajit Patidar’s form, but Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour has backed the Karnataka youngester to come good ahead of the 4th Test.
England Team Overview
The England cricket team announced their Playing 11 today. Ben Stokes & Co. have opted for two changes. Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed have been omitted from the England team for tomoroow, while all-rounder Ollie Robinson and spinner Shoaib Bashir have been named as their replacements. The visiting side is set to field a bowling lineup consisting of two pacers and three spinners.
There were speculations that Jonny Bairstow might be dropped from the team for the Ranchi Test, with the possibility of an additional spinner or Dan Lawrence taking his place. However, despite his recent struggles in three consecutive matches against India, the team management has opted to maintain their trust in the experienced batter.
The 4th Test will start at 9:30 am with the toss at 9 am.
India Probable 11: Rohit Sharma, Yashavi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar/Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Aakash Deep/Mukesh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj.
England Playing 11: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Shoaib Bashir. Foakes, Tom Hartley, James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Shoaib Bashir.