Jasprit Bumrah To Sit Out, Kuldeep Yadav In; India's Probable Changes For 5th Test vs England

India probable changes for 5th Test [Source: AP Photo]

India pulled off a heist on the final day of the Manchester Test match as the Shubman Gill-led side miraculously drew the game, and head into the Oval Test match with a chance to equal the series. The Indian batters showed incredible temperament and skill to salvage a draw from a losing position.

Shubman Gill scored yet another majestic hundred, his fourth of the series, and he was accompanied by KL Rahul (90), Ravindra Jadeja (107*), and Washington Sundar (100*), as England bowlers were made to toil hard on the final day, and India will take the morale victory heading into the Oval Test.

However, despite a valiant batting effort, the Indian bowling lacked the cutting-edge. They conceded 669 runs in England's first innings, and the bowlers were taken to the cleaners. Ahead of the fifth Test, India could make wholesome changes, keeping in mind the team combination.

1) Bumrah to sit out, who will replace him?

• Even before the start of the England tour, Bumrah announced that he would only play three Tests. The decision was taken, keeping in mind his workload management. He has already played three Tests in the series and could potentially sit out of the final game.
• In the Manchester Test, Bumrah looked lethargic, as he only bowled a solitary delivery over 140 km/h. Plus, he was seen limping off, suggesting that India's lead pacer is not 100%. So, the question arises, who could replace him?.
• There are two candidates to replace Bumrah at the Oval. The only fit pacer who is warming the bench is Prasidh Krishna, and he has been poor throughout the series. However, there is an alternative available. Akash Deep was impressive in India's only win in the series at Edgbaston, but the pacer was ruled out of the fourth Test due to a calf injury. If Akash Deep gets fit, he should straightaway slot in to replace Bumrah. If he is unfit, India might have to go in with Prasidh.

2) Finally time for Kuldeep Yadav?

It has been four Tests, and we are yet to see Kuldeep Yadav in action in this series. The wily spinner has a terrific record against England, and he should be selected to play in the side to play in Oval Test.

(Kuldeep vs England)

• As the table suggests, Kuldeep has 21 wickets in 6 matches vs England, and has been their biggest weakness. However, India, for some reason have not played him in any of the four Tests.
• However, for the Oval Test, Kuldeep should come in for Shardul Thakur. The surface at that venue is known for assisting spinners in the fourth, and the fifth day, and England generally struggle to play quality spin bowling.
• Plus, Shardul has not been used in the 4th Test match. He scored 41 runs in the first innings, but was under-utilised with the ball, as Gill only made him bowl 11 overs in the Test. Hence, instead of a bowler the captain doesn't trust, it is important to have a genuine wicket-taker in the side. Anshul Kamboj could also be dropped, but India might want to give him one more go.

3) Jurel to replace Pant

• This could be confirmed news, since Rishabh Pant suffered a fractured toe on Day 1 of the Manchester Test, and was reportedly advised a 6-week rest period. With Pant missing out on the final game, it could be time for Dhruv Jurel to finally play his first full-fledged game in the series. He could slot in as the wicket-keeping choice to replace the injured Pant.

India's probable XI for 5th Test

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj, Akash Deep/Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

---

ALSO READ

Series Alive As Gill's Ton, Jadeja-Sundar Partnership Saves India's Pride In Manchester

---