Jasprit Bumrah is being rested during the fourth Test between India and England, who have resisted calls to push an out-of-form Joe Root down the order due to his bowling workload
India rest Bumrah as McCullum backs Root
England will get a break from Jasprit Bumrah in Ranchi as India rest their star paceman for the fourth Test, which starts on Friday.
The world's No.1-ranked Test bowler did not travel with India's squad as the two teams travelled to Ranchi on a charter flight on Tuesday afternoon and it was subsequently confirmed he would not play.
KL Rahul will sit out again having missed the third Test with a quad injury with Mukesh Kum rejoining the squad.
Bumrah had been the only frontline fast bowler from either side to play all three matches and there is just a four-day turnaround between the end of the third Test and start of the fourth.
After taking nine wickets in Visakhapatnam as India levelled the series, Bumrah took two on a flat pitch in Rajkot as India went 2-1 up with two to play.
The leading wicket-taker in the series with 17 dismissals at a stunning average of 13.64 and it is thought the more seam-friendly conditions in Dharamshala – the venue for the fifth Test – will be much more to Bumrah's liking.
England head coach Brendon McCullum anticipates a wicket which will turn as they take a step into the unknown later this week at the JSCA International Stadium.
The venue has played host to just two Tests, the most recent in October 2019 where India beat South Africa by an innings and 202 runs, while England's only previous visit to Ranchi was 11 years ago in an ODI.
Joe Root is the only survivor from that match in the current England squad. The Yorkshireman has struggled with the bat in the past few weeks, yet to reach 30 in six attempts although he has had a more prominent bowling role, sending down 107 overs so far.
Asked if Root could shuffle down the batting order by a place or two to make allowances for his extra workload, McCullum insisted the idea has not been discussed between him and captain Ben Stokes.
"I haven't thought about it," McCullum said. "I think Joe wants to be in the game. He's totally invested in where this team wants to go. I think Joe will be absolutely fine."
Meanwhile, India batter Virat Kohli, who withdrew from the current Test series for personal reasons, has announced the birth of his son.
The former captain previously announced he would miss the first two Tests due to personal reasons, before withdrawing from the rest of the series.