Image Source: AP Photo
[Saba Sports News] England’s leg-spinner, Rehan Ahmed, is set to cut his tour of India short, as he will be returning home for personal reasons. This unexpected development means that Ahmed’s participation in the ongoing cricket series has come to a premature conclusion, and England’s cricket team has decided against calling up a replacement for him for the upcoming final Test match.
At just 19 years old, Ahmed has made a significant impact during his time in India, having played in the first three Test matches of the series. During these appearances, he has managed to secure a total of 11 wickets, making him the second-highest wicket-taker for England on this tour, trailing only behind Tom Hartley. Among his achievements is a remarkable six-wicket haul that he secured in Vizag, highlighting his potential and skill as a young spinner on the international stage.
Despite his promising performance, England’s team management has made the strategic decision to reintroduce finger spinner Shoaib Bashir into the lineup for the pivotal fourth Test in Ranchi. This change comes as England prepares for a critical match that they must win in order to keep their hopes alive in the series and push it to a decisive fifth game in Dharamsala, scheduled to start on March 7.
Ahmed’s departure comes after he was seen actively participating in the training session on the eve of the Ranchi Test, indicating that his decision to return home was sudden. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by the team, both on and off the field, as they navigate this crucial phase of the series without one of their promising young talents.
As England faces this challenging moment, the focus shifts to how they will adapt their strategy and lineup in the absence of Ahmed, aiming to secure a victory in Ranchi and extend the series to its final contest in Dharamsala.