With just two days left for the start of the IND vs ENG fourth Test match in Ranchi, England may make changes to their bowling line-up ahead of the match. It is very certain that Ollie Robinson could get a chance for the out-of-form James Anderson, while Shoaib Bashir may return to the team in place of Mark Wood. The Three Lions recorded a humiliating 434-run defeat in the third Test match and would now look to make a comeback.
The tourists made significant changes to their bowling line-up in the first three matches of the series. England opted for a bowling combination of three spinners and 1 seamer in the first two games, while they played with 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 Anderson’s place. However, both players played the third Test, while Shoaib Bashir was excluded from the game XI.
Ollie Robinson likely to be picked for Ranchi Test
Joe Root has been the fifth bowling option for England so far and has played decently in the series so far. Also, the team would expect Ben Stokes to play the role of the bowling all-rounder like he used to do before. The English captain last played in Tests during the second Test match of Ashes 2023 against Australia. However, there is still no confirmation as to when he will bowl again in Tests.
Coming back to Ollie Robinson, the latter played 19 Tests and picked 76 wickets at an average of 22.21. He has taken 3 five-wicket hauls, while his last Test appearance for England was during the 2nd Test match of Ashes 2023.
Former England cricketer Michael Atherton also backed Ollie Robinson’s selection for James Anderson. Atherton stated that Ollie Robinson would have the control that Anderson has. He also asked to bring in Gus Atkinson instead of Mark Wood.
The pitch will also be a factor in the IND vs ENG fourth test match. Pitching in the first three games of the series so far has been contrary to expectations.
Many cricket experts predicted that the pitches would be of a high standard and it would be difficult for the English batsmen to play against the Indian spinners. However, pitches have been equally useful for batsmen, spinners and pacers. There has also been a bit of reverse movement and matches have lasted until day 4.
The five-match series is currently in favor of team India. The hosts lead the series 2-1 and will look to win the series in Ranchi. The Indian team has delivered in all departments in the Rajkot Test and will miss pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested from the Ranchi Test. Bumrah is the highest wicket-taker in the series and has taken 17 scalps with a five-wicket haul.
England, on the other hand, will also focus on returning to the series strongly and bringing the score down to 2-2. However, it will be difficult for them as until now they have depended on the performance of each player.