IND vs ENG: Jasprit Bumrah To Be Rested For Fourth Test In Ranchi - Report

Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is reportedly set to be rested for the fourth Test against England, scheduled to start on Friday (February 23) at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.

According to a report from CricBuzz, Bumrah, who was likely to be rested for the Rajkot Test, will be allowed to take a break in the Ranchi Test. The report also adds the availability of Bumrah for the final Test in Dharamsala could depend on the result in Ranchi.

The report further added that Bumrah is unlikely to join the Indian team, which will depart from Rajkot on Tuesday (February 20) and will probably drive down to Ahmedabad, a four-hour drive from Rajkot, on Monday (February 19).

Bumrah, who made his return to action last year after an injury lay-off, was a regular fixture in the Indian team during the ODI World Cup, and the five Tests since the South Africa tour followed by the home series against England.

Citing workload management, Bumrah was supposed to be rested from the third Test, but the Gujarat pacer was retained in the eleven as India took a 2-1 lead following a massive 434 runs victory at the SCA Stadium on Sunday (February 18).

Bumrah is the leading wicket-taker of the series with 17 wickets in 6 innings and has already bowled 80.5 overs this series. Hence, he is likely to be given a break from the next match like the other two pacers have been allowed to do in the previous matches.

Mohammed Siraj was rested for the second Test in Visakhapatnam, while Mukesh Kumar was released ahead of the third Test to take part in the Ranji Trophy match for his state Bengal. Akash Deep is the other pacer in the squad for the series.

Who will replace Bumrah in IND vs ENG 4th Test?

While there is no immediate information if the team management will seek a replacement player for Bumrah, Mukesh is likely to return for the Ranchi Test. But whether he will be included in the playing 11 is not known.

Depending on the conditions, India could replace Bumrah with another pacer or they could add Axar Patel back in the playing 11 after the all-rounder was unfortunately dropped from the third Test.

While the report states Bumrah is set to be rested, they state that there is no information of any other player skipping the next Test as it stands. With Ranji Trophy quarterfinals also starting on Friday (February 23), some players could be released to represent their state teams.