🏏 India vs England, 4th Test-- JSCA Stadium Complex, Ranchi 🏏 - Page 2

Thanks for the tag Madhu.

I heard rain was predicted for couple of days in the scheduled 5 days. This may end up in a draw.

Cheers..

Team News--

England: The visitors have called in Shoaib Bashir and Ollie Robinson to what looks like a very well-balanced side. Legspinner Rehan Ahmed has been dropped whereas Mark Wood has been rested after putting in the hard yards in the last Test.

Interestingly, England have retained James Anderson, who will be playing his third Test on the trot and his reverse swing could come in handy on a dry surface here. Robinson brings his height and the ability to get vertical movement on the pitch later in the match.

Bashir, the tall offspinner, who played the Vizag Test, returns in place of Rehan. There's some pressure on Jonny Bairstow who had scores of 0 and 4 in Rajkot, but England have put faith in him in what will be his 99th Test match.

Did you know?

Ashwin is three scalps away from surpassing Anil Kumble to become the leading wicket-taker in India in Tests. He's also one wicket away from the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets against England.

What they said:

"He has money in the bank, he's a quality player. He's someone who has been very integral to what we have done" - England captain Ben Stokes on Jonny Bairstow

"We have been having a lot of conversations with him but one thing he needs to understand is that this is how this game goes. He has been batting really well, he has scored a lot of runs to get into the team and doesn't become a bad player in two matches. He is a very good player" - India batting coach Vikram Rathour on Rajat Patidar

India have rested Jasprit Bumrah. That leaves them to choose between Mukesh Kumar, the uncapped Akash Deep, the extra spinning allrounder Washington Sundar and an extra batter. I doubt they will lighten their bowling strength so strike the extra batter. Depending on the pitch, they will choose their fifth bowler. The rest of the line-up should remain the same.

Vishal: "Team India supporter here but wondering if Eng should win this game and we all go to the magnificent Dharmasala 2-2 with all to play for or knock the socks off bazball and wish for a 4-1 result. Hmmm :)"

"Last time India played a test here- only 3 players are common- Rohit, Jadeja and Ashwin"

Another debut for India. Akash Deep has just received his Test cap. The transition is in full flow. India will go with a balanced attack of two seamers and three spinners. Seems Rahul Dravid has handed him the cap.

Ranchi was once a part of Bihar. It is very close to Bengal. Fittingly the man from Bihar who has played first-class cricket for Bihar is making his debut in Ranchi.

As they often do, England have announced their XI for this Test. James Anderson is going to play his third Test in a row. Shoaib Bashir has replaced the leg spinner Rehan Ahmed. Ollie Robinson replaces Mark Wood. No other changes for them.

Thanks for the tag

All the best to Team India.

England have won their second toss of the series. Ben Stokes says they will have a bat. "The first hour will give us an indication what it will do in the longer term." He says his bowling is coming back slightly ahead of schedule, but still work to be put in.

England: Z Crawley, BM Duckett, OJ Pope, JE Root, JM Bairstow, BA Stokes*, BT Foakes†, TW Hartley, OE Robinson, Shoaib Bashir, JM Anderson

India: RG Sharma*, YBK Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, RM Patidar, SN Khan, RA Jadeja, DC Jurel†, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj

Rehan Ahmed has left the tour for personal reasons.

Rohit Sharma says the surface looks dry, has cracks, but "we just have to play well to win". He is impressed with the character shown by the youngsters. Akash Deep for Bumrah is the only change India have made.