Rishabh Pant has been excluded from the series, so there will be at least one change. But will India change their Bowling attack on the oval?
Team India has another Herculean task at hand. They saved the Manchester test despite being 0-2 while following 311 points. Now they have to win the oval to level the series at 2-2. It will not be easy. But this young team agreed when it is under pressure. The big battle equips that India will have to fight is fitness.
Unique change in the range of strikers: jurel for pants
Rishabh Pant, the best striker in India in the 2020s, will not be available. Dhruv Jurel or Narayan Jagadeesan will take his place. Jurel has not played a test match since November 2024, while the Jagadeesan test call is this year. Whoever comes has a high task in front of them.
Most likely, it will be a jurel who arrives. Not only has he already played test cricket, but the ticket office also played time to knock on Ranchi last year against the same opposition. Jurel played for India before the series and did beautifully. It was also the GLOVEMAN in the absence of a pant.
Apart from that, there will be no change in the range of strikers. Sai Sudharsan showed that he was here to stay in test cricket with this important 61 -point stroke in Manchester, and it was the only blow that was to be won before the series.
Bumrah rest, Removal Kamboj
Jasprit Bumrah completed his predefined quota of testing games to play in England. Even it was not easy. He was out of Kilter in Manchester. His speed and precision were far away. Many thought that Bumrah wore an injury, but the Bowling 33 Overs, the second plus after Ravira Jadeja, would suggest the opposite.
The turnaround between Lord and Old Trafford was 8 days, but Bumrah was not at its best. Do we really expect it to be 100% at the oval after a 3-day rest? We don’t think. An additional thrust could lead to an injury at the end of his career. It is surely not worth leveling the series at 2-2.
As for Ashul Kamboj, he was not his best either. There is a line of thought that the beginner was not 100% physically. Its speeds, 125-130 km, suggest it. Given as a launcher of lines and length, Kamboj was everywhere. Anyway, it is difficult to see him continue after a difficult outing in Manchester.
Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav & Prasidh Krishna in the mixture
Akash Deep would have regained his physical form. It was the replacement of Bumrah to Edgbaston, and the same goes for the oval. Shardul Thakur will have to be abandoned. Most was his fault. Giving 55 points in 11 letters meant that Shubman Gill did not trust him for a enough bowl. There is no point in playing 4 quick quantities if you don’t trust one of them to really play.
Kuldeep Yadav should replace it. Not only is the oval oval a flat surface that could be suitable for the spinners, but after Bumrah, Kuldeep could be the best option to take the counter in India. Gill and Gautam Gambhir hesitated to bring him before Nitish Reddy was injured. Shardul’s ineffectiveness suggests that Kuldeep could play.
The last change would be for Prasidh Krishna to come back. The large stimulator did not meet expectations. But will Arshdeep Singh, a swing launcher, be the best option on a flat track? No is the answer. For all of his problems, Prasidh could be the best option of taking a counter after the new ball has ceased to help quick quasses.
Siraj to brave
Mohammed Siraj should ideally be rested. But if Bumrah does not play, someone must lead the rhythm attack. Siraj was exceptional in Edgbaston in the absence of Bumrah and should repeat the same thing. He has badges and will surely be tired, but if Siraj is known for something, he gives everything. He will certainly do this for Team India at the oval.
Planned India playing XI for the oval test
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kl Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Dhruv Jurel (WK)Raviund Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Bench: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Anshul KambojNarayan Jagadeesan (WK), Rishabh Pant (excluded)
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Cricket predicted India playing XI for the 5th test: Kuldeep Yadav in, not Arshdeep Singh and Bumrah-Kamboj
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Sure, lets just wrap our players in bubble wrap and never let them play. That should definately help us win trophies.
The rotation policy started in 2021 when BCCI created workload management committee. Bumrah has bowled 450+ overs in last 8 months across all formats. Rest is necessary to prevent stress fractures which he suffered in 2022. Kuldeep’s economy rate of 4.8 in T20Is makes him valuable asset specially on turning pitches.
For those who dont know, Kuldeep has been working on his fitness and variations in domestic cricket. His recent performance in Ranji trophy was quite impressive with 23 wickets in 4 matches. The rest for Bumrah makes sense considering the workload management strategy BCCI is following this season to avoid injuries before world cup.
Next they will rest entire team and ask coach to play alone 😂 This selection policy is becoming comedy show day by day haha
What nonsense decision is this?? How can you rest Bumrah before such important series? This is complete madness from selectors. We are going to loose badly without our main bowlers.
This is worst selection I have ever seen in my 15 years of watching cricket. BCCI has completely lost it now. How can they expect to win without best bowlers?? Arshdeep not even in squad is shocking. Team will suffer badly mark my words.
Kuldeep in the team? Wow such brave decision after he took 10 wickets last year. Im sure opposition teams are really scared now lol
I completly disagree with this approach. Why rotate players when team combination is working? Kamboj hasnt even proved himself yet and now getting rest? Make it make sense please!
Oh great! Lets just rest everyone and send under-19 team to play internationals. Brilliant strategy really.
Finally some good news! Kuldeep is back and thats what we needed. Team management is showing some sense atleast. Bumrah and Arshdeep deserves rest after continous matches they played.
But why Kamboj is rested when he barely played 3 matches? This logic doesnt make any sense at all. First give him chance to perform then think about rest no??
Good move tbh. Kuldeep adds variety to bowling attack and players need rest otherwise injuries will happen.