BIG NEWS: Big blow for England as another player returns home amidst ongoing Test series against India, set to miss Dharamsala Test

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on February 23 announced that all-rounder Rehan Ahmed will return home and won't take any further part in the ongoing Test series against India. Rehan was not named in England's playing XI for the 4th Test in Ranchi and will now miss the fifth Test in Dharamsala also as the ECB announced that the 19-year-old will not return. Rehan will travel back home due to personal reasons.

"Take care, @RehanAhmed__16. Rehan Ahmed will return home for personal reasons. He will not be returning to India and we will not be naming a replacement," England Cricket said in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter).  

Shoaib Bashir replaces Rehan Ahmed 

Shoaib Basheer stepped in for Rehan Ahmed in England's lineup for the fourth Test in Ranchi. Ahmed's exclusion from the playing XI was not related to his exit from the tour, which was decided the day after the team selection was made.

Rehan is scheduled to leave India on Friday, and England has decided against calling up a substitute. Following Ahmed's exit, England's squad for the concluding two Tests of the series will be comprised of 14 players.

England win all-important toss in Ranchi 

England captain Ben Stokes won the all-important toss and elected to bat against India in the 4th Test in Ranchi on February 23 (Friday). England made two changes to their playing XI with Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed missing out. Ollie Robinson and Shoaib Bashir were included in England's playing XI. For India, Akash Deep replaced Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested for the 4th Test.

India playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

England playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes(c), Ben Foakes(w), Tom Hartley, Ollie Robinson, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson

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