Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour has revealed that Jasprit Bumrah is fully healthy, but has been rested for the fourth Test against England in Ranchi due to his workload. Rathour also revealed that KL Rahul was ruled out of the game due to injury.
The fourth Test between India and England will begin on Friday, February 23, at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. The hosts lead the five-match series 2-1, but will be missing two veteran players, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul, in Ranchi. Before, Virat Kohli chose to skip the entire series due to private matters.
At a pre-match news conference on Thursday, India’s batting coach explained Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul’s absence for the fourth India versus England Test. Regarding Bumrah’s absence, he explained:
“We love to see Bumrah play every match. But it is not advisable. The kind of workload, schedule we have, everybody felt it’s better to give him a break. He was absolutely fine but we also have to keep in mind the workload ahead.”
Vikram Rathour
He commented on Rahul, a veteran right-handed hitter, being ruled out of the Ranchi Test.
“I don’t know about the percentage but as far as I am concerned, it’s either fit or unfit. As of now, he is unfit. BCCI’s medical team will be in a better position to know about the injury.”
Vikram Rathour
Rahul was ruled out of the second Test in Visakhapatnam with a quadriceps injury. He missed the third Test in Rajkot due to the same reason.
On February 20, the BCCI released an official statement providing an update on Rahul.
“KL Rahul is ruled out of the 4th Test. His participation in the final Test match in Dharamsala is subject to fitness.”
On Jasprit Bumrah being rested, the release stated:
“The decision was taken keeping in mind the duration of the series and amount of cricket he has played in recent times.”
Earlier, Mohammed Siraj was rested for the second Test, and Mukesh Kumar replaced him in the starting XI.
Jasprit Bumrah and Rahul’s performance in the Test series so
India’s star bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, tops the Test series in wickets taken so far. He’s bagged 17 wickets in three games, averaging just 13.65. He’s had one game dismantling five opponents, in one another four. In Visakhapatnam, he secured the Player of the Match title as he claimed nine out in India’s victory by 106 runs.
Rahul struck an impressive 86 from 123 balls in the first innings of the inaugural Test in Hyderabad. He was out for 22 in the second innings, and India lost by 28 runs.