Rehan Ahmed’s trip of India has been cut short, with the England legspinner going home due to an urgent family emergency.
In a statement, the ECB also stated that Rehan will not return for the remainder of the series, and England will not seek a squad replacement.
Rehan, 19, played in England’s first three Tests against India. He took 11 wickets at an average of 44, including a match total of 6 for 153 in Visakhapatnam. He was, however, left out of the England XI for the fourth Test, which began in Ranchi. It is thought that Ben Stokes’ decision to omit Rehan was not motivated by his need to return home, which became clear after the selection was revealed at 1pm on Thursday. Rehan was present for England’s final training session that afternoon, assisting with various drills. He flies home on Friday, the first day of the fourth test.
Earlier this month, England had to wait on Rehan’s availability for the third Test after discovering “paperwork discrepancies” with him upon his arrival from the UAE. However, the issue was remedied, and Rehan took three wickets in England’s 434-run defeat in Rajkot.
England will field offspinner Shoaib Bashir in the fourth Test, replacing Rehan. The England XI also includes left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, who has taken the most wickets on the tour (16).
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