England’s five-match Test tour of India began on a high note with a victory in Hyderabad, but consecutive defeats in Visakhapatnam and Rajkot have put them on the back foot. With the series standing at 2-1 in favor of India, the team faces challenges, especially in the bowling department.

While spinners were anticipated to dominate, pacers have emerged as key players. Jasprit Bumrah leads the series’ highest wicket-takers, showcasing the effectiveness of seam bowling. England’s bowling, led by Tom Hartley, struggled at times, with pacers James Anderson and Mark Wood playing inconsistently.

Former England opener Michael Atherton believes a change is needed, suggesting the inclusion of Ollie Robinson and Gus Atkinson in place of Anderson and Wood to inject freshness into the bowling attack.

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“We’ve seen a lot of Ollie Robinson, who has great skill and great control. He’ll give the control that Anderson gives, whereas Atkinson gives that freshness. Both will be raring to go,” remarked Michael Atherton on Sky Sports ahead of the Ranchi Test.

In a surprising move, India has opted to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the fourth Test in Ranchi. With Mohammed Siraj securing his spot in the XI after an impressive performance in the third Test, the replacement for Bumrah remains uncertain. Mukesh Kumar, who played in the second Test, struggled and might be replaced by the uncapped Akash Deep, according to reports.

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Akash Deep, a Royal Challengers Bangalore player, showcased his skills during recent India A matches, potentially earning him a place in the playing XI for the upcoming Test. As the teams gear up for the Ranchi clash, both England and India face critical decisions in their bowling setups, aiming to secure a favourable outcome in the series.