Jasprit Bumrah Rested for 4th Test Against England: In a strategic move to manage player workload and ensure peak performance in upcoming tournaments, the Indian cricket team has decided to rest pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the fourth Test against England scheduled to commence on February 23 in Ranchi.
Bumrah Workload Management
Given that Bumrah has bowled 80.5 overs in the first three Test matches, the decision to give him a rest was made with consideration for his workload. The 2024 T20 World Cup, which begins on June 1, will take place shortly after the IPL season. Suspicions circulated that Bumrah might be rested for the third Test in Rajkot; nevertheless, he played the match, leaving the series tied at one.
Mukesh Kumar: A Potential Replacement
Stepping into Bumrah’s shoes is no small feat, but the inclusion of Mukesh Kumar provides a glimmer of hope for India’s pace attack. Released from the squad for the third Test in Rajkot, Kumar showcased his prowess in a Ranji Trophy match for Bengal against Bihar, claiming a career-best match haul of 10 for 50.
KL Rahul’s Absence and Fitness Concerns
In addition to Bumrah’s absence, the Indian team faces another setback with KL Rahul set to miss the fourth Test as well. Rahul, who missed the second and third Tests, is navigating fitness concerns, making his participation in the final Test in Dharamsala contingent upon his recovery.
Series Dynamics and India’s Lead
As India currently leads the five-match series 2-1, the absence of their leading wicket-taker, Bumrah, raises questions about the team’s ability to maintain momentum. India’s win has been greatly attributed to Bumrah’s incredible record of 17 wickets at an average of 13.64. He was named Player of the Match in the second Test at Visakhapatnam, where he took 9 for 91 in both innings.
India’s Squad for the Fourth Test
Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep