The decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the fourth Test between India and England at Ranchi has been a topic of discussion in the lead-up to the match. However, Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour clarified the team’s decision to sideline India’s ace bowler, stating that Bumrah had no fitness concerns. Instead, the team felt that it was not advisable to play him continuously.
“I think every Test match is crucial, to be honest. With WTC points, every game is crucial. Even we would love Bumrah to play all the games,” Rathour said during the pre-match press conference ahead of the fourth Test.
“But unfortunately, that is not very advisable because of the workload he has had in the last three games. He has bowled well and with a lot of heart, a lot of effort,” Rathour said.
READ MORE | No Jasprit Bumrah as Team India Lands in Ranchi For The 4th IND vs ENG Test
Bumrah is the leading wicket-taker in the series, having bowled 80.5 overs in the three Tests, taking 17 wickets at an average of 13.64.
“For the kind of schedule we have in the future it was felt by everybody involved that he should be given a break. Otherwise, he is fine physically. But it was felt that he should get a break because there was hardly any turnaround time between the games,” the former Indian opener added.
With Bumrah rested, there are speculations that India may go with only one pacer for the Ranchi Test, and the pitch could favour spinners. Rathour, though, felt that the wicket was a typical Indian track.
“Every time we play in India, there’s a question mark on the pitch … It’s a typical Indian wicket, there are cracks, this wicket always had cracks,” Rathour told reporters on the eve of the match.
“It will turn, but how much it will turn and from when we are unsure. But we have enough balance in our team.”
On the other hand, the England camp felt the Ranchi strip was an interesting one and opted to bring in finger spinner Shoaib Bashir instead of wrist spinner Rehan Ahmed. Ollie Robinson also gets his first game of the series, replacing Mark Wood for the 4th Test.
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