England has made alterations to its playing XI for the fourth Test against India in Ranchi, introducing Ollie Robinson and Shoaib Bashir into the lineup. Robinson steps in for Mark Wood, while Bashir is brought back in place of Rehan Ahmed. With the series standing at 2-1 in favor of India, England, led by captain Ben Stokes, faces the crucial task of avoiding defeat to stay in contention. Stokes, recovering from surgery on his left knee, remains uncertain about his bowling role in the Test.
The pitch conditions in Ranchi, initially described as "interesting," have evolved, and it now seems less challenging for batting. Mark Wood is given a rest due to a demanding workload, and leg-spinner Rehan is excluded from the lineup, with Bashir providing a more favorable option, as stated by Stokes. The English team is strategically composed, featuring tall bowlers poised to exploit any irregular bounce on the pitch.
Ollie Robinson makes a return to the side after recuperating from a back injury, adding depth to England's bowling attack. Stokes, who has resumed bowling in the nets, contemplates the possibility of an early return to an all-rounder role, offering additional flexibility to the team. In an effort to preserve their 12-year unbeaten record in home Test series, India has decided to rest the world's top-ranked Test bowler, Jasprit Bumrah.
Former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik suggests that England's key to challenging India's dominance lies in delivering a robust batting performance. With the series finely poised, the upcoming Test in Ranchi promises to be a pivotal contest between the two cricketing powerhouses.
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