Before the fourth match against England, India experienced changes in the squad. Jasprit Bumrah, vice-captain and leading wicket-taker in the series with 17 scalps, has been released from the squad. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the news. Besides, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has been ruled out for the 4th Test. His participation in the final match is not clear, depending on his recovery.
The absence of key players like Bumrah and Rahul introduces a test of depth for Rohit Sharma's side. Bumrah's release and Rahul's recovery strain pose questions about India's strategy.
Pacer Akash Deep looks all set to fill the void left by Bumrah, hinting at India's readiness to leverage its bench strength. If he gets a chance, it will be his first Test match.
KL Rahul's absence is obviously felt. His contributions as a premier batter in the series opener were crucial. He scored an impressive 86 off 123 balls. His quadriceps strain injury and 90 percent match fitness that fell short for the 3rd Test has led to the recovery at the National Cricket Academy.
Still, the Indian team performed remarkably in Rajkot. Even absense of Rahul and another key player, Virat Kohli, didn't affect the result. The third Test highlighted young talents such as Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel. These players made notable contributions on their debut. Sarfaraz, in particular, made an impact with attacking fifties in both innings.
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's reached 500 Test wickets in Rajkot. It further underlined the team's strength, even without its frontline pacer, Bumrah. Ravindra Jadeja's century and a match-winning five-wicket haul, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal's double century, propelled India to a historic 434-run victory. The result shows the team's all-round capabilities.
The series moves to the penultimate encounter in Ranchi's SCA International Stadium Complex. India appears well-equipped to confront England despite being without Bumrah and Rahul.