IND vs ENG 2024: Michael Atherton votes for the inclusion of Ollie Robinson and Gus Atkinson in Ranchi Test

England started their five-match Test tour of India on a memorable note as they defeated Rohit Sharma's men by 28 runs in Hyderabad. However, heavy defeats in Visakhapatnam and Rajkot have forced them to go back to the drawing board. The Test series is intriguingly poised at 2-1 in favour of the home side.

The spinners were expected to rule the roost during the series, but the pacers have managed to hold their ground. Jasprit Bumrah is leading the list of highest wicket-takers in the series. England's bowling attack has been led by Tom Hartley, but the two pacers who have played so far in the series, James Anderson and Mark Wood, have been good only in patches. Wood played the first Test before being replaced by the senior in the second. The third Test saw both of them featuring for the visitors.

They conceded 124 runs in the 23 overs they bowled in total in the second innings in Rajkot as India amassed 430 runs in just 98 overs. Former England opener Michael Atherton suggested that England should bring in Ollie Robinson and Gus Atkinson in place of Anderson and Wood to “freshen up” the bowling attack.

“We've seen a lot of Ollie Robinson, who has great skill and great control. He'll give the control that Anderson gives, whereas Atkinson gives that freshness. Both will be raring to go,” Atherton said on Sky Sports ahead of the Ranchi clash.

“My instincts would say they'll freshen up the bowling, that they may bring in Robinson for Anderson and may think about Atkinson for Wood,” Atherton added.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: Ollie Robinson likely to feature in Ranchi Test

India rest Jasprit Bumrah for 4th Test, Akash Deep likely to make his debut

Meanwhile, India's vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the fourth Test, which begins on Friday, February 23, in Ranchi. With Mohammed Siraj being a sure-shot certainty in the playing XI after his four-wicket haul in the third Test, it is expected that either Mukesh Kumar or the uncapped Akash Deep are likely to replace Bumrah in the playing XI.

Mukesh played the second Test, but was far from his best. He conceded 70 runs in the 12 overs he bowled and picked up the solitary wicket of tail-ender Shoaib Bashir. Some reports suggest that his fellow Bengal pacer Akash Deep might get the nod ahead of him in the Ranchi Test. The Royal Challengers Bangalore player impressed one-and-all during the recent India A matches and will be raring to go if he gets an opportunity.

Also Read: Reports: Impressive Akash Deep likely to debut in Ranchi