India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been released from the Indian squad citing personal reasons.
“Jasprit Bumrah made a request to BCCI to be released from India’s squad ahead of the fourth Test owing to personal reasons. Accordingly, the fast bowler has been released and he will not be available for selection for the fourth Test. There will be no addition to India’s squad for the final Test,” the BCCI said in a statement.
India lead the four-match Test series 2-1 after beating England by 10 wickets in the third game at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The low-scoring game saw the spinners dominating the game. While Axar Patel and R Ashwin scalped 18 wickets in two innings, Jack Leach and Joe Root got 9 wickets among themselves.
England after opting to bat first were bundled out for 112 in the first innings. The hosts, in reply too, failed to score big runs and were all out for 145 in the first innings. The visitors’ nightmare against the Indian spinners continued in the second innings and they only managed 81 to put on the board and hand India an easy target of 49 runs.
The home side chased down the target with ease and went over the line. England have been knocked out of the World Test Championship after losing this game. India though now have a chance to play the final of the WTC against New Zealand if they are able to draw or win the fourth and final match against England. But if India suffer a defeat in this final encounter, then Australia will lock horns with the Blackcaps in the WTC final.
India’s squad for the 4th Test: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ishant Sharma, Md. Siraj, Umesh Yadav