Bumrah has bowled 80.5 overs across the three Tests, taking 17 wickets at 13.64, more than any other seamer across either side. Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep or an extra spinner are among the options facing the hosts
India's decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the fourth Test against England in Ranchi was led by a desire to protect him following a heavy workload during the start of the series.
Bumrah has bowled 80.5 overs across the three Tests, more than any other seamer on either side.
He's taken 17 wickets at 13.64, a haul which helped him climb to the top of the ICC Test bowling rankings and guide India into a 2-1 series lead with two Tests to play.
But the short turnaround between the third and fourth Tests, which starts on Friday (February 23) means the hosts are urging on the side of caution.
Mukesh Kumar is back under consideration despite enduring a tough second Test (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Furthermore, Bumrah missed a year of action due to a long-running back injury which saw him sidelined for the T20 World Cup in Australia and the World Test Championship final, among other high-profile assignments.
Batting coach Vikram Rathour said: "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, but unfortunately, that is not very advisable because of 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, and the kind of schedule we have in the future, it was felt by everybody involved that he should be given a break."
It remains to be seen how India opt to cover for Bumrah's absence. They could opt for a like-for-like replacement and recall Mukesh Kumar or give the uncapped Akash Deep a Test debut.
Washington Sundar and Axar Patel represent the options if India wish to further strengthen the spin battery (Surjeet Yadav/Getty Images)
The alternative would be to bolster the spin ranks with either Axar Patel or Washington Sundar - though it would leave Mohammed Siraj, who has taken four wickets at 37.5, as the sole seamer.
On conditions in Ranchi, Rathour added: "It's a typical Indian wicket, there are always cracks, this wicket has always had cracks. It will turn, but how much it will turn and from when we are not sure. We have enough balance in our team to go whichever way we want to go."
England captain Ben Stokes has described the pitch as "interesting" but has resisted fielding three frontline spinners, plumping for Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley alongside quicks Ollie Robinson and James Anderson.
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