Bengal fast bowler Akash Deep is expected to make his Test debut in the fourth India-England Test in Ranchi.
Akash Deep will support Mohammed Siraj in the pace department with Jasprit Bumrah rested. Despite Mukesh Kumar's return to the squad for the remaining two games, a report by the Indian Express suggests that the selectors and team management prefer Akash.
He recently claimed 11 wickets in two matches for India A against England Lions. Although Mukesh took 10 wickets in Bengal's Ranji Trophy 2024 match, he only managed to take 1 wicket in
the second Test against England, playing in place of the rested Mohammed Siraj. In contrast, Jasprit Bumrah added nine scalps to his bowling figures in the same contest.
Since his debut in 2019, Akash Deep has played 30 first-class matches, taking 104 wickets at an average of 23.58 and an economy rate of 3.03. If Akash plays, he will become India's fourth debutant in the series. Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel have already made their Test debuts as captains in the previous games.
Team India currently leads the series 2-1 and will aim to win the next Test to secure the series.