England has revealed their lineup for the fourth Test against India, opting for two alterations from the last match. Ollie Robinson and Shoaib Bashir have been brought in, while Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed step aside.
England finds themselves in a challenging position after consecutive defeats against India in Vizag and Rajkot, following their first triumph in Hyderabad. The Bazball strategy adopted by the team has come under scrutiny, drawing criticism even from a former England Captain.
In an attempt at redemption, England prepares for the fourth Test in Ranchi with two major lineup changes. Shoaib Bashir steps in for Rehan Ahmed to solve bowling issues faced in Rajkot, while Ollie Robinson replaces Mark Wood, anticipating spin-friendly conditions later in the match.
All eyes are now on the young Bashir as England tries to regain their winning momentum. The Ranchi pitch is expected to pose challenges for both teams, with spinners set to play a pivotal role as the game progresses. The spotlight is fully on England as they aim to reverse the tide in the ongoing Test series against India.
Rehan has been struggling with his bowling, and Wood’s modest performance of four wickets in two matches with a strike rate of 94.25 likely led to their exclusion from the Ranchi Test.
Bashir, who faced a forgettable start in Visakhapatnam, gets another chance as a replacement for Rehan Ahmed. Additionally, Robinson’s consistent ability to bowl in the channel gets him a spot in the playing XI.
Despite a dip in form with the bat, Jonny Bairstow keeps his place and is eager to rediscover his touch in the Ranchi Test.
All eyes are on Ben Stokes and the possible return to bowling duties for the rest of the series in India. Stokes hinted at a comeback, citing his practice workouts during the warm-ups between Tests.
Amidst speculation about Dan Lawrence’s inclusion, England continues with Bairstow, who has faced challenges with the bat. James Anderson, at 41, maintains his spot despite calls for rest, and Tom Hartley, the left-arm orthodox spinner, retains his place after an impactful performance in Hyderabad.
England is keen to bounce back from the disheartening loss in Rajkot. With the series hanging in the balance, they set their sights on a comeback in Ranchi to level the scores before the final game in Dharamsala.
England playing XI for the fourth Test against India
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Tom Hartley, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson, Shoaib Bashir
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