Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India middle order batter KL Rahul has been officially ruled out of the fourth Test against England in Ranchi due to an ongoing quadriceps injury that previously sidelined him in Visakhapatnam and Rajkot. Despite featuring in the series opener in Hyderabad and registering scores of 86 and 22, he sustained an injury, leading to his absence from the second Test. A BCCI release on February 12 had mentioned Rahul reaching 90 percent match fitness before the third Test in Rajkot, expressing optimism about his progress at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. However, his availability for the final Test in Dharamsala remains uncertain pending fitness assessment.
The 31-year-old Rahul has faced persistent fitness challenges over the past 10 months, including a thigh surgery after an injury during IPL 2023, which caused him to miss several games. Despite his excellent form upon returning during the Asia Cup, Rahul’s recent setback hampers his consistent performance in both Test and ODI formats.
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In addition to Rahul’s absence, pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah will also miss the Ranchi Test as he has been granted rest by the team management. This decision aims to manage his workload, considering the upcoming IPL campaign and the T20 World Cup in West Indies & the USA. Bumrah, leading the series with 17 wickets at an impressive average of 13.64, has already bowled 80.5 overs in the first three Tests.
Mukesh Kumar, who delivered a career-best match haul of 10 for 50 for Bengal against Bihar in the Ranji Trophy, will rejoin the squad after being released for the third Test. Uncapped seamer Akash Deep is the third pace option in the squad.
India squad for the 4th Test: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep
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