Mukesh Kumar, an Indian bowler, has been cut from the Test team in advance of the third Test in Rajkot against England. When India won the toss and decided to bat first, captain Rohit Sharma validated the decision. Following his difficult performance in the previous Test match in Vizag, where he battled and let up runs at a 6.28 average without taking any wickets in the first innings, Mukesh was left out of the playing XI.
Although Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant performance concealed Mukesh Kumar’s less-than-ideal outing, the 30-year-old’s difficult outing on what was described as a not-so-friendly pitch forced the team management to make a change. Before reuniting with the Indian side for the fourth Test in Ranchi, the pacer will play for the Bengal team in their forthcoming Ranji Trophy match. In the third Test held in Rajkot, Mohammed Siraj, who was absent from the first Test, returned.
“Mukesh Kumar has been left out of the India team for Rajkot’s third Test matchup with England. Before joining Team India in Ranchi, he will play for his Ranji Trophy team, Bengal, in their upcoming match, the BCCI said in an official release.
Check out BCCI’s most recent post on ‘X’:
UPDATE: Mr Mukesh Kumar has been released from the India squad for the third Test against England in Rajkot.
He will join his Ranji Trophy team, Bengal, for the team’s next fixture before linking up with Team India in Ranchi.#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 15, 2024
Many modifications to the Rajkot Test for India
The absence of pace spearhead Bumrah in the probable fourth Test is a major concern as the India vs. England series develops; the squad would probably rest him to manage his workload.
In the meantime, India made two line-up changes in Rajkot: youthful wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who took KS Bharat’s place, and middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan, who is well-known for his prodigious scoring in Mumbai’s domestic cricket. With the return of pacer Mark Wood, England made a shift, benching teenage spinner Shoaib Bashir.
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