Ranchi Test bids farewell to the dynamic duo, Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed!!

CricAdvisor’s Insight

In a strategic move, England has decided to maintain its two-pace, two-spin combination for the crucial fourth Test in Ranchi. This decision comes with the exclusion of Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed, making way for Ollie Robinson and Shoaib Bashir. The stakes are high for England, trailing 1-2 after the defeat in Rajkot, as they aim to level the series in the upcoming fixture.

Robinson’s Return to Test Arena

Ollie Robinson is set to make his first Test appearance since last July when an injury sidelined him during the Leeds Ashes Test. Joining forces with the seasoned James Anderson, Robinson brings a fresh dynamic to the pace attack. Wood, the player Robinson replaces, had a commendable performance in the third game, picking four wickets in the first innings but conceding more than four runs per over in both innings.

Bashir’s Comeback

Shoaib Bashir, making a comeback after being benched for the Rajkot game, aims to make a significant impact. His debut in Vizag saw him bowl over 50 overs across two innings, picking four wickets while maintaining an economy rate of over three-and-a-half per over. Ahmed, the player making way for Bashir, has been a consistent performer with 11 wickets, the second-highest for England in the series after Tom Hartley.

Reading the Ranchi Pitch

After the high-scoring affair in Rajkot, all eyes are on the expected conditions in Ranchi. England’s Ollie Pope has described the pitch as ‘interesting’ just a couple of days before the game. The team seems to prioritize control against India’s aggressive batters, especially those adept at handling spin. In this quest for control, the decision to include an additional finger spinner in place of leggie Ahmed becomes crucial.

Stokes’ Mystery Bowling Act

Adding an element of intrigue, Ben Stokes has been spotted bowling his medium pace in the lead-up to the game. While remaining tight-lipped about his potential role with the ball in the fourth Test, Stokes’s versatile skills may provide England with an extra dimension in their bowling reserves.