Jasprit Bumrah, a prominent fast bowler for India, has been left out of the team for the fourth Test in the ongoing series between India and England.
The match is set to start on Friday, February 23 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. The decision was made with the Indian pace spearhead’s workload in mind, according to the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India).
Notably, with 17 wickets from six innings at an average of 13.64 and an economy of 2.87, Jasprit Bumrah is the series’ top wicket-taker thus far. Star batsman KL Rahul has also been ruled out of the fourth Test owing to injury, along with him. Rahul was not included in the squad for the second game of the series because of a complaint he made during the first game in Hyderabad regarding pain in his right quadriceps.
He was recalled to the team for the final three Test matches, along with Ravindra Jadeja, but he was once more released before the third game because he was unable to return to match fitness. Rahul’s fitness to play in the fifth Test in Dharamsala is another matter.
🚨 NEWS 🚨
Jasprit Bumrah released from squad for 4th Test.
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There were several discussions about Bumrah’s being rested in order to control his workload before to the recently finished Test match in Rajkot. Nevertheless, the management chose to use the seamer because the Rajkot’s flat deck really needed his reverse swing ability.
Since December 26, 2023, the 30-year-old has participated in five Test matches and bowled 129.2 overs in those contests. In the most recent two-match Test series against South Africa, Bumrah also finished first in terms of wicket-taking, taking 12 wickets at an average of 12.91 from three innings.
After recording his second-best Test match score of 9/91 in the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam, he was recently named Player of the Match. In addition, he overtook his teammate Ravichandran Ashwin at the top of the ICC Test bowling rankings after his game-winning effort.
For the final two Test matches, Mukesh Kumar rejoins the team.
In the meantime, seamer Mukesh Kumar has returned to the team after being left off the roster for Ranji Trophy duty prior to the third Test. It will be intriguing to watch if the team management selects Mukesh or Akash Deep to be the second seamer for Mohammed Siraj in the fourth Test, given Bumrah’s unavailability. India will be keen to win the series in Ranchi as they lead it 2-1.