India vs England: Jasprit Bumrah released from the squad ahead of fourth Test

India will be without their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the fourth and final Test against England. The BCCI, on Saturday, announced that the pacer has been released from the squad owing to personal reasons. The Indian cricket board also confirmed that no other player has been added to the squad after Bumrah’s departure.

In his absence, either Umesh Yadav or Mohammed Siraj will partner Ishant Sharma in the upcoming Test. Earlier this month, Bumrah played his first-ever Test in India during the first game of the ongoing series and picked up four wickets. He was rested for the second Test before playing the third Test in Ahmedabad. The right-arm pacer went wicketless in the game but India won the Test by ten wickets to take an unassailable 2-1 lead.

“Jasprit Bumrah made a request to BCCI to be released from India’s squad ahead of the fourth Test owing to personal reasons. Accordingly, the fast bowler has been released and he will not be available for selection for the fourth Test. There will be no addition to India’s squad for the final Test,” the BCCI wrote in the statement.

Bumrah is expected to return to action when the ODI series against England gets underway next month. Earlier this month, he was rested for the five-match T20I series that will start on March 12. The ODI series, on the other hand, will start on March 23.

Series win, WTC final spot up for grabs:

Coming to the last Test, it will be of huge importance for Team India. The upcoming game will not only give the hosts a chance to win the series but also seal their spot in the final of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship. India need just a draw in the fourth Test to clinch the four-match series as well as book their place in the WTC final.

On the other hand, England’s chances of making it to the WTC final ended with the defeat in the third Test. The visitors, however, could play India’s party. If Joe Root and his teammates stun their fancied hosts in the fourth Test, Australia will progress to the final and lock horns against New Zealand. The WTC final is expected to take place in June at the iconic Lord’s.

India’s squad for the 4th Test:

Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ishant Sharma, Md. Siraj, Umesh Yadav