![Concerns for India [Source: AP Photo]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1753703748875_concernsforIndia.jpg?type=mq)
Concerns for India [Source: AP Photo]
India pulled off an incredible heist as they miraculously survived in the Manchester Test match and salvaged a hard-fought draw to keep the series alive. At 0/2, trailing by 311 runs, India were on the back-foot, as the England bowlers dominated the proceedings. However, what followed was the. batting of the highest calibre from the visitors.
Shubman Gill scored a majestic century in the second innings, and Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar also scored their respective hundreds as India lost just two wickets on the final day, and will take the morale victory in the 5th Test at the Oval.
However, the side still has plenty of problems to address, and some key issues to solve before the next Test commences.
1) Jaiswal's second innings woes
Yashasvi Jaiswal is one of the Indian batters to have a century on this tour, and while he has performed decently, his second innings numbers tell a completely different story. 4, 28, 0, 0, these have been the scores of Jaiswal in India's second innings on the tour. While has a solitary century, and a fifty in the first innings, his numbers in the second innings will give India nightmares.
Jaiswal is a key component at the top of the order, and with the series still on the line, India would hope that the southpaw finds his feet when it matters the most, and delivers in the second innings at the Oval.
2) Bumrah's workload management
Jasprit Bumrah has been India's best bowler on this tour with 14 wickets, but the pacer is likely to take a rest in the final Test match. But with the series still on the line, India needs its best bowler to play the final match, but will Bumrah take a U-turn from his decision?.
He looked a pale shadow of his former self at Manchester and conceded 100 runs for the first time in his Test career. At the moment, he is operating at only 50-60%, but should he risk playing in the fifth Test?. Without him, the bowling looks weak, but with just three days left for the next game, Bumrah has very little time to recover.
3) What to do with Anshul Kamboj?
A lead pacer bowling at 120-125 km/h, this was Anshul Kamboj in the 4th Test vs England. He lacked control over his lines and lengths and was also too slow as a pacer, and the England batters took full advantage of it. Kamboj is not yet ready for red-ball cricket, so, what should India do with him?.
In an ideal scenario, he should be replaced for the next Test. If Bumrah decides to play the fifth Test, and Akash Deep gets fit, then Akash Deep should replace Kamboj.
Howeverm if Bumrah is ruled out, and Akash Deep is fit, then India could be tempted to go in with Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna as the three pacers (with Kamboj replaced).
4) The number 3 conundrum
India's biggest problem has been the number 3 spot. The side has tried Sai Sudharsan, and Karun Nair at that spot, but neither of the two batters have looked convincing.
| Criterion | Sudharsan | Karun Nair |
| Matches | 2 | 3 |
| Runs | 91 | 131 |
| Average | 22.75 | 21.83 |
| 50s | 1 | 0 |
(Sudharsan, Nair stats in England)
Sudharsan has 91 runs in two games, meanwhile, Nair has 131 runs. Both have similar averages, but Sudharsan might get the nod as he slammed a gritty fifty in the first innings of the Manchester Test match.
