IND vs ENG: Why Rehan Ahmed has not been included in England playing 11 for 4th test

Rehan Ahmed picked 11 wickets in the first three tests in Hyderabad, Vizag and Rajkot.

England’s young leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has unexpectedly withdrawn from the ongoing five-match test series against India due to personal reasons. The news came just before the toss of the fourth test in Ranchi, leaving the England team without their rising spin talent.

Ahmed, who impressed on his maiden tour of India, had been expected to play a crucial role in the remaining two test matches. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed his departure, stating that he would not be returning for the fifth test either.

“Rehan Ahmed will return home for personal reasons with immediate effect from England Men’s Test tour of India. He will not be returning to India,” ECB said in a statement.

While the exact nature of Ahmed’s personal reasons remains undisclosed, the ECB’s statement suggests a matter of urgency that necessitated his immediate departure.

“England will not be replacing Ahmed for the rest of the tour,” the statement added.

The news comes as a blow to the Ben Stokes-led England, who were already facing an uphill battle in the ongoing series after losing the second and third tests. It is to be noted that England’s veteran left-arm spinner Jack Leach is also out of the ongoing five-match test series due to an injury. 

Ahmed’s withdrawal means that the tourists will have to reshuffle their bowling attack, with off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and left-arm spinner Tom Hartley being their front-line spinners of the bowling attack.

Shoaib Basheer replaced Rehan Ahmed in England’s playing XI for the fourth Test in Ranchi. However, Ahmed’s absence from the playing XI wasn’t connected to his departure from the tour. The decision for him to return home came a day after the playing XI was finalized.

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