Akash Deep Strikes Early: England Struggles in Ranchi as India vs England 4th Test Begins

In the highly anticipated fourth Test match between India and England in Ranchi, fast bowler Akash Deep made his debut as Jasprit Bumrah was rested to manage his workload. England won the toss and elected to bat first, but their innings got off to a rocky start with Akash Deep striking early, getting the crucial wicket of Ben Duckett.

England’s decision to bring in Ollie Robinson and Shoaib Bashir, replacing Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed, came as a surprise to many. The absence of spinner Rehan Ahmed, the highest wicket-taker for England, was explained as him leaving the tour for personal reasons.

India, on the other hand, have seen injuries plaguing their team with key players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer missing from the lineup. With the pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah also being rested, the debutant Akash Deep had big shoes to fill.

Riding high on their massive 434-run victory in the previous Test, Team India was looking to seal the series in Ranchi before heading to Dharamsala. The talented batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and the experienced Ravindra Jadeja were expected to play key roles in this crucial game.

The pitch in Ranchi was under scrutiny, with England captain Ben Stokes expressing his concerns about its dark and crumbly nature. The surface presented challenges with visible cracks, posing a potential threat for the batters.

With milestones in sight for players like Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Ben Stokes, the fourth Test promised to be an intense battle between the two sides. Players like James Anderson were also eyeing personal records, adding further excitement to the match.

As the game unfolded, it was evident that both teams were determined to give their best, with England striving to stay alive in the series and India aiming for a swift victory. The performance of debutant Akash Deep and the consistency of key players like Yashasvi Jaiswal would be crucial factors in determining the outcome of the match.