IND vs ENG: "There Are Cracks": Vikram Rathour Gives Honest Review Of Pitch For Ranchi Test

Team India batting coach Vikram Rathour on Thursday said that the Ranchi wicket hosting the fourth Test against England has “enough cracks” and it would favour the spinners as well. However, he also insisted that they have enough firepower to cope with any condition.

Team India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been the leading wicket-taker of the series but he has been given a rest in the fourth Test to manage his workload. The move has led many to believe that the pitch will be a rank-turner for the fourth Test starting Friday as well.

“It will turn” – Vikram Rathour on the pitch

“Everytime we play in India, there’s question mark on the pitch … It’s a typical Indian wicket, there are cracks, this wicket always had cracks,” Rathour told reporters on the eve of the match. “It will turn, but how much it will turn and from when we are not sure. But we have enough balance in our team.”

He also said Jasprit Bumrah is absolutely fine but it was not “advisable” to play the speedster continuously. The pacer has bowled 80.5 overs in three Tests, taking 17 wickets at an average of 13.64 as well.

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“I think every Test match is a crucial test match, to be honest. With WTC points, every game is crucial. Even we would love Bumrah to play all the games,” Rathour said. “But unfortunately that is not very advisable because the kind of workload he has had in the last three games. He has really bowled well and with a lot of heart, a lot of effort.”

“For the kind of schedule we have in the future, with IPL and all, it was felt by everybody involved that he should be given a break. Otherwise he is absolutely fine physically. But it was felt that it is better that he gets a break because there was hardly any turnaround time between the games,” he again shared.

“At the moment he is not fit” – Vikram Rathour on KL Rahul

Meanwhile, Team India’s top-order batter KL Rahul, who has been doing rehab after struggling with quadriceps pain, too was ruled out of the fourth Test and he seems doubtful for the final Test as well.

“For me either he is fit or he is not. At the moment he is not fit. I am not sure what percent he is fit at the moment and what is the stage. I am not sure, the medical team will be able to advise that but as far as we are concerned he is not fit and not available for this game, so we are focusing on this team,” he further added.

“It’s the selectors’ job to pick the 15. This question is better asked to them, I used to be a selector but I’m not anymore. At the moment we see that people who have done well in domestic cricket are promoted. It’s good everybody should get chances,” Vikram Rathour concluded.