Rehan Ahmed in action. (Courtesy: ECB)
England leg spinner Rehan Ahmed has withdrawn from the squad due to personal reasons. The 19-year-old will not be a part of the visiting side in the final two Tests in Ranchi and Dharamsala respectively. Meanwhile, England have decided not to name a replacement for the last fixture.
Incidentally, Ahmed trained with the squad on the eve of the Ranchi Test but had to withdraw due to personal reasons. He featured in three Tests, scalping 11 wickets, which is the second-best for an England bowler after Tom Hartley. It also included a six-wicket haul in the Vizag Test. The visitors have decided to bring back Shoaib Bashir in a do-or-die situation in the Ranchi Test.
Earlier, Ahmed faced a visa issue as he was stopped at Hirasar Airport in Rajkot ahead of the third Test. However, the local airport authorities cleared the visa issue for Rehan Ahmed temporarily, with the correct visa set to be issued in a few days.
Overall, Ahmed has matured as a spinner in Indian conditions. He has claimed eight wickets in two Tests, including six in the second Test against India in Vishakhapatnam.
His bowling routine on the Indian conditions has all been about adapting to the conditions. His most common way of dismissing the batters has been caught behind. And Stokes has used him at different situations, including as late in the game as the 61st over in the final innings of the last Test.
