The decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the fourth Test between India and England at Ranchi has stirred discussions ahead of the crucial match. Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour clarified that Bumrah’s absence was not due to fitness concerns but rather a precautionary measure to manage his workload effectively.
In a pre-match press conference, Vikram Rathour stated, “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. 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.”
Despite being the leading wicket-taker in the series with 17 wickets in three Tests, Bumrah has been given a break to manage his workload and ensure he stays fit for future engagements.
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“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,” Vikram Rathour explained.
With Bumrah rested, there’s speculation that India might opt for a spin-heavy attack in Ranchi. However, Vikram Rathour emphasized that the wicket was typical for India, stating, “It’s a typical Indian wicket, there are cracks, this wicket always had cracks. It will turn, but how much it will turn and from when we are unsure. But we have enough balance in our team.”
Meanwhile, in the England camp, there were observations about the interesting nature of the Ranchi pitch. The visitors made changes to their lineup, bringing in finger spinner Shoaib Bashir and pacer Ollie Robinson for the fourth Test.
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The decision to rest Bumrah showcases India’s commitment to managing player workload, especially considering the busy schedule ahead, including the World Test Championship.
