India vs England 2021: Umesh Yadav To Replace Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav Likely To Come In For Washington Sundar In The 4th Test - Reports

The fourth and the last Test in the ongoing series between India and England will commence on 4th March at the same venue as that of the third Test, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

As India take a 2-1 lead with a thumping 10-wicket victory in the day-night Test, the hosts would be hoping to make it 3-1, or at least avoid a loss in order to secure the qualification for the final of the World Test Championship; if England wins the last Test, then Tim Paine’s Australia will go through to the final.

But the hosts are certain to make at least one change to the side which won the previous Test – Jasprit Bumrah has been released from the squad for personal reasons.

If the pitch is similar, and it is likely to, as that used in the third Test, where the ball turned from the first session, then India won’t mind much losing out on the services of Bumrah as he bowled just 6 overs in the entire game – and Ishant bowled 5.

Umesh Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav likely to return to the eleven

According to reports in Times Of India, pacer Umesh Yadav is all but confirmed to replace Bumrah. Umesh last played in the Melbourne Test against Australia where he got injured and missed the last two Test in Australia and the first two Tests against England.

Umesh was added to the squad for the pink-ball game but didn’t make it into the eleven. He will be competing for the spot with Mohammed Siraj, who played in the second Chennai Test.

Another change on the cards, according to the same report in TOI, is that of leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav to be brought in the line-up back for Washington Sundar. Yadav was dropped after the second Chennai Test, which was his first Test in over two years, for Sundar – the Tamil Nadu off-spinner was picked over Kuldeep Yadav for batting superiority considering how crucial any runs from the lower-order can be in a low scoring game.

Sundar bowled just 4 balls in the game – in England’s second innings and picked the last wicket of James Anderson. With the pitch once again expected to be spin-friendly, as India look to dominate another home Test, and now not much need of extra batting – Axar Patel, R Ashwin, and Ishant Sharma provide ample batting length – the chinaman, Kuldeep Yadav will fancy his chances for a rare opportunity in India’s Test eleven.

Also Read: India vs England 2021: Kevin Pietersen Shows A Leaf Out Of His Book For The England Batsmen