Revealed: Why Jack Leach is not bowling in the 4th innings against India

Jack Leach did not open the bowling with Mark Wood in the fourth innings and it was Joe Root who was handed the ball by England skipper Ben Stokes to open the bowling. Joe Root took a four-fer in the Indian first innings and was brilliant with the ball. However, the reason behind Jack Leach’s absence from the bowling has been revealed as the off-spinner was not found pairing with Mark Wood with the new ball.

Jack Leach was found struggling with his left leg on the second day’s play and was also found heavily bandaged ahead of the third day’s play. He also came out to bat in the third innings with a swollen leg. His leg injury is the reason that he was not introduced to bowl with the new ball in the very first spell. However, keeping his leg in concern, he will bowl in the match after a few spells.

Jack Leach is the leader of England’s spin attack and he is not having a great Test match against India. He is the only spinner in the England squad who has previous experience of playing in India. Leach only took one wicket in the first Indian innings but it was an important wicket of the Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma. Jack Leach has played 35 Test matches for England and has taken 125 wickets at an average of 34.42.

Jack Leach was found heavily bandaged on his left leg ahead of the third day’s play and did not bowl many overs. He has struggled with his left leg since Day 2 and now has swelling on his left leg. He is a great spinner who has good experience in Test cricket and is currently the leader of England’s spin attack. Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed and Joe Root are the other spinners present in England’s Playing XI.

Jack Leach Suffered A Knee Injury During The Second Day Of The Test Match Against India

England Spinner Jack Leach Faces Devastating Knee Blow in Hyderabad Test – Day 2 Nightmare Unfolds!#England #INDvsENG #India #JackLeach #KneeInjury #Hyderabad #Test #Cricket #SkyFair https://t.co/Pv0gqa1Zvs

— SkyFair (@SkyFairsports) January 27, 2024

India requires 231 runs to win the first Test as England was bundled for 420 in their second innings leading by 230 runs. Ollie Pope missed out on a well-deserved double hundred as the 26-year-old batter got out on 196 off 278 deliveries and his innings included 21 boundaries. Jasprit Bumrah was the star for India with the ball during England’s second innings as he took a figure of 4/41. He was brilliant with the ball on a pitch which naturally favours spin bowlers.

India has not lost a home Test series since 2012 when they were defeated by England. The hosts were defeated 2-1 by the Alastair Cook-led England side and since then they have won 16 consecutive home Test series. The two teams will move to Vishakhapatnam for the second Test which commences on February 2., Friday. The other three Tests will be played in Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamsala respectively.