With just two days in the beginning of the fourth IND vs ENG Test match in Ranchi, England may make changes to their bowling lineup ahead of the match. It is very much certain that Ollie Robinson might get a chance for out-of-form James Anderson, whereas Shoaib Bashir can make a place back into the side in place of Mark Wood. The Three Lions registered a humiliating 434-run loss in the third Test match and now would be aiming to make a comeback.
The tourists have significantly made changes to their bowling lineup in the first three matches of the series. England went with a three-spinner and 1 seamer bowling combination in the first two games, whereas, they played out 2 spinners and 2 seamers in the third match.
While Mark Wood played the first Test in place of James Anderson, Wood was rested for the second match in place of Anderson. However, both the bowlers played the third Test, whereas, Shoaib Bashir was excluded from the playing XI.
Ollie Robinson likely to get picked for Ranchi Test
Joe Root has been the fifth bowling option for England so far and has bowled decently in the series so far. Also, the team would be hoping that Ben Stokes plays the role of the bowling all-rounder like he used to do before. The English captain last bowled in Tests during the second Ashes 2023 Test match against Australia. However, there is still no confirmation when will he resume to bowl in Tests.
Coming back to Ollie Robinson, the latter has played 19 Tests and has picked 76 wickets at an average of 22.21. He has picked up 3 five-wicket hauls whereas, his last Test appearance for England was during the second Ashes 2023 Test match.
Former England cricketer Michael Atherton has also backed Ollie Robinson’s selection for James Anderson. Atherton stated that Ollie Robinson would bring in the control that Anderson does. He also called to bring in Gus Atkinson in place of Mark Wood.
The pitch will also be a factor in the fourth IND vs ENG Test match. The pitches in the first three matches of the series so far, have been opposite from the expectations.
Many cricket experts predicted that the pitches would be rank turners wherein it would be difficult for the English batsmen to play against the Indian spinners. However, the pitches have been equally helpful for the batsmen, spinners and the pacers. There has also been a bit of reverse swing and the matches have lasted till Day 4.
The five-match series is currently placed in favor of Team India. The hosts lead the series by 2-1 and will be aiming to win the series in Ranchi. The Indian team has ticked all the departments in the Rajkot Test and will be missing pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested from the Ranchi Test. Bumrah is the highest wicket-taker of the series and has picked up 17 scalps with one five-wicket haul.
England on the other hand will also focus on returning to the series with a bang and bring down the scoreline to 2-2. However, it will be tough for them as they have been dependent so far on the performances of individual players.
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