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‘Bigger loss than Kohli’- Fans react after Jack Leach is ruled out of final three Tests vs India
England cricket have been rocked just a few days before the start of the third Test in Rajkot. Veteran spinner Jack Leach will not be part of the final three Test matches against India.
The 32-year-old is set to fly home after his knee injury has gotten worse. Jack Leach had injured himself during the first Test match in Hyderabad. Ben Stokes had to rest the veteran spinner for the Vizag Test and gave Shoaib Bashir his debut cap.
According to reports, England has opted against naming a replacement for Jack Leach. India has named its squad for the final three games of the series on Saturday. Virat Kohli is still out as Shreyas Iyer has been left out. The 29-year-old’s status is unclear as to if he is injured or dropped.
England’s bowling attack depleted before Rajkot Test-
Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have been jolted after Jack Leach was ruled out of the India series. The English board released a statement confirming the news on Sunday and released a statement.
The statement from the England board read “Leach will work closely with the England and Somerset medical teams in respect of his rehabilitation”. The entire England squad had flown to UAE to spend some time alone with their families.
Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed will be taking the role of the senior spinners in the absence of Leach. Shoaib Bashir who made his debut in Vizag will become the third spinner in the side. Joe Root had injured his finger while fielding in Vizag, it is to be seen if he is asked to bowl.
With Jack Leach missing there are chances that Ben Stokes could opt for two pacers. India had used the ploy effectively during the Vizag Test with Bumrah getting huge rewards. The Indian pacer picked 9/91 during the second Test as India won by 106 runs.
Veteran pacer James Anderson is just 5 wickets short of the 700 mark. With three Tests to go in the series, Anderson is poised to become the first pacer to reach the magical mark. Shane Warne (708) and Muttiah Muralitharan (800) are the only players ahead of him on the list.
Here’s how the fans reacted –
Unpopular Opinion: Jack Leach is a bigger loss to England than Kohli to India (for this series)
— Mukund Bubna 📈 (@mukund_bubna) February 11, 2024
So Jack Leach is out of the remaining Test against India . As he is probably one of the worst spin Bowlers England have ever had.
— Lord Byron (@oyjoy1986) February 11, 2024
1 Double century coming from Rohit Sharma or Shubman Gill in remaining 3 tests.
Jack leach was threat to all Indian right handed batters because of his experience.#INDvsENG #INDvsENGTest https://t.co/EZbvbo2OFW
— Prateek (@prateek_295) February 11, 2024
Sarfaraz khan will make his test debut in Rajkot#INDvsENG
KL and jadeja very less chance to play next match
— RC – Jadeja 🔥 (@vinodjaddu8) February 11, 2024
Jack Leach has been ruled out of the remainder of our Test series with India. #INDvsENG
— Swadesh Ghanekar (@swadeshLokmat) February 11, 2024
Jack Leach ruled out of the India Test series. #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/UwlVWdfKEE
— ahsannabeel (@ahsannabee23159) February 11, 2024
Hard to see Jack Leach being a regular fixture for England going forward. Emergence of Hartley and Rehan Ahmed could spike his injury-hit career, especially given their batting. How can you plan a team with a man made of glass?
— Jack Mendel ✍️ (@Mendelpol) February 11, 2024