India will face England in the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval in London from July 31. England are leading the series 2-1 and it is a must-win clash for India.
Jasprit Bumrah has reportedly been ruled out due to workload management. To make matters tougher, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is also unavailable after suffering a fractured toe. Dhruv Jurel will replace him behind the stumps.
In the Manchester Test, the Indian bowlers conceded 669 runs in the first innings and struggled to build pressure. With the series on the line, changes in the bowling department are expected as India look for the right balance to challenge England in conditions likely to aid seamers.
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Likely India Playing XI for Fifth Test vs England
- Top Order
Yashasvi Jaiswal has shown promise throughout the series. He has scored 291 runs, including a century and two fifties. His opening partner KL Rahul is in the form of his life. He has amassed 511 runs in the series, having smashed two hundreds and as many fifties.
Sai Sudharsan impressed with a fifty in the first innings at Old Trafford and is expected to keep his place.
- Middle Order
Leading the side in a high-pressure game, Shubman Gill’s form with the bat will be important. The captain must lead from the front if India are to level the series. He has done the talking with the bat and is the leading-scorer in the series with 722 runs, decorated with four tons, including a double-hundred.
With Pant unavailable, Jurel will take over wicket-keeping duties. The youngster will also be counted on to contribute vital runs in the middle order.
- All-Rounders
Ravindra Jadeja’s role as a dependable batter and a left-arm spinner makes him indispensable. He scored a century at Old Trafford in the fourth Test. Another versatile option, Washington Sundar, who also notched up a century in the previous match, can provide depth with both bat and ball.
India may choose between Shardul Thakur’s seam-bowling all-round abilities and Kuldeep Yadav’s wrist-spin option. The decision could depend on the pitch conditions at The Oval.
- Bowlers
Set to replace Bumrah, Akash Deep will return to India’s playing XI after missing the Manchester Test due to a niggle. India’s workhorse Mohammed Siraj will be playing his fifth straight Test and is expected to make early inroads with the new ball.
Likely to debut in place of Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh will bring versatility to India’s pace attack as a left-arm option.
India’s Probable Playing XI for Fifth Test vs England
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur/Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
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