Potential changes in India's Playing XI for the Oval Test against England

Overview

• India is likely to make multiple changes in their Playing XI for the fifth Test against England at The Oval
• Rishabh Pant is out of the series and a couple of more players could be dropped
• Arshdeep Singh could make his Test debut while Kuldeep Yadav is likely to return to the Test side

England lead the series against India 2-1 with the last Test to go at The Oval, London, from July 31 to August 4. The visiting side is likely to make multiple changes for the last Test of the series and will be eyeing to level the series 2-2 to end the tour on a high. For that to happen, they must play their best XI, which they haven't been able to do so far.

Also Read: Gautam Gambhir grills The Oval curator with heated conversation

Kuldeep Yadav, who has yet to play a match in the series, is likely to get a chance at The Oval. The chinaman spinner could come for Shardul Thakur, who was selected in two matches but could not perform as well as one would have liked. Kuldeep, a genuine wicket taking bowler, was seen bowling in the nets and was attended by Gambhir.

Likewise, Arshdeep Singh is all set to make his Test debut. The left-arm pacer is set to replace either Mohammed Siraj or Anshul Kamboj in the side. While the former has played all Tests in the series and probably ends up getting rested, the latter did not prove he belongs to the Test level and might hence be dropped for the fifth Test.

Also Check: Ranking India's Top 3 most hard-fought draws in Tests

Will Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant miss The Oval Test?

Akash Deep is likely to return to the side after getting rested in the Manchester Test due to an injury. He could replace Kamboj or Siraj. A call will be taken on the availablity of Jasprit Bumrah for the Oval Test in the last moments before the match, as he did not seem to be at his best in the Manchester Test due to fatigue.

At the start of the series, it was claimed that Bumrah would play only three Tests. However, as India is in a must-win situation to draw the series, there's a need to play the best side. If Bumrah gets rested, Arshdeep could come in his place, while Akash could replace either Siraj or Anshul, potentially making a way for Prasidh Krishna's return to the side.

Read More: Ravichandran Ashwin alerts 'fake news' doing rounds on social media on his statement on India vs Pakistan Cricket Match

A confirmed change is set to happen, as Rishabh Pant is set to miss the fifth Test following his toe injury in the Manchester Test. The wicketkeeper batter is ruled out of the remainder of the series and Dhruv Jurel is likely to play in his place. As per the reports, many such changes can be expected in the Indian Test XI for the Oval Test.