India batter Shubman Gill has thrown his support behind Mohammed Siraj to take charge in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah for the fourth Test against England in Ranchi. Gill lauded the exceptional performance of India’s fast bowlers, emphasizing their pivotal role in the series and highlighting the difference they made between the two sides. While acknowledging Jasprit Bumrah as the leader of the pace attack, Gill also praised Mohammad Siraj for his outstanding bowling, particularly in the crucial last innings of the Rajkot Test match, showcasing his adeptness in Indian conditions and underscoring his growing experience on the field.
India have rested Jasprit Bumrah, who is leading the wickets column in this series, for the fourth Test against England. Bumrah has taken 17 wickets at 13.64 in three Tests, 11 more than the next-best pacer, James Anderson. Understandably, Bumrah has bowled more than any other seamer in this series (80.5 overs in six innings). Across the three Tests, India have used a two-seamer, three-spinner combination, with no more than five bowlers in any of the six innings. It’s a pattern that has resulted in a 108-run triumph and a 434-run win in the last two Tests, but the absence of a bowler who has taken nearly one-third of those 60 wickets would disrupt that equilibrium.
“Our fast bowlers have been brilliant in the series and that has been the difference between the two sides. Bumrah is the leader of our pace attack, but I think the way Mohammad Siraj has bowled, especially in the last innings of the Rajkot Test match (has been great). He has experience in Indian conditions,” Shubman Gill said in the press conference ahead of the Ranchi Test match.
Siraj’s performance, particularly noted in the last innings of the Rajkot Test match, exemplifies the calibre of India’s fast bowling reserves. Siraj’s adeptness in Indian conditions, coupled with his growing experience, positions him as a formidable force ready to spearhead the pace attack.
Akash Deep, a Bengal bowler who received his first national team call-up midway through India’s five-match Test series against England, is expected to make his debut in the forthcoming fourth Test in Ranchi. With Jasprit Bumrah removed from the squad, Akash Deep is expected to play as the second seamer alongside Mohammed Siraj.
India squad for fourth Test: Rohit Sharma (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, KS Bharat, Devdutt Padikkal, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep.
