With the series delicately poised at 2-1 in favor of India, the upcoming clash in Ranchi promises to be a test of skill and adaptability for both teams.
Despite Bumrah’s absence due to a well-deserved rest, India remain assertive and adaptive, drawing strength from their young brigade of batters who have stepped up in the absence of senior players like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.
Led by captain Rohit Sharma, India’s batting lineup, rejuvenated by the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, and Shubman Gill, poses a formidable challenge to the English bowling attack.
However, Bumrah’s absence leaves a void in India’s bowling arsenal, especially considering his stellar performances in the series so far. The mastery of reverse-swing displayed by Bumrah in Vizag and his crucial breakthroughs in Rajkot underscore his importance to the team.
With Mohammed Siraj shouldering the responsibility as the lone experienced pacer, India faces a challenge in maintaining their bowling dominance.
The selection conundrum for India revolves around the choice of a second pacer, with Mukesh Kumar and uncapped Akash Deep vying for the spot. While Mukesh brings experience and a recent 10-wicket haul in Ranji Trophy, Akash Deep’s potential debut adds an element of uncertainty to India’s pace attack strategy.
On the other hand, England’s ‘Bazball’ approach, characterized by aggressive stroke play, faces scrutiny following their defeat in Rajkot. Despite notable performances from Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, England’s batting lineup, led by Joe Root, has struggled against India’s spin threat.
The reversal of fortunes for England, from their win in Hyderabad to the crushing defeat in Rajkot, highlights the volatility of their aggressive batting strategy.
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As the teams prepare to battle it out in Ranchi, the pitch conditions will play a crucial role in determining the course of the match. Historically deceptive, the Ranchi pitch offers assistance to both batsmen and spinners, making it a challenging proposition for visiting teams.
While England contemplates bolstering their spin attack, India is likely to stick to their conventional bowling combination.
With the series hanging in the balance, the fourth Test promises high stakes and intense competition as both teams strive to gain the upper hand and seize control of the series.
As India eye a 17th consecutive series win at home, and England seek redemption, the stage is set for a gripping encounter in Ranchi.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (C), 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, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep.
England: Ben Stokes (C), Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood.
Match starts at 9.30am (IST).