India and England are gearing up for the fifth and final Test match of their series, scheduled to be held at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala from March 07 to 11. With India already clinching the series with a 3-1 lead, both teams are preparing diligently for the last showdown. While India aims for another victory, England seeks to salvage pride with a win in the concluding Test match.
Team updates
India will be without the services of KL Rahul for the upcoming Test, but Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the fourth Test in Ranchi, has been recalled for the Dharamsala encounter. Meanwhile, former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar has recommended two changes to India’s playing XI for the fifth Test.
Sanjay Bangar proposes to cut down spin strength
Bangar suggested that India’s frontline pacer Bumrah should replace chinaman Kuldeep Yadav in India’s playing XI due to the specific conditions expected in Dharamsala. Bangar mentioned that Dharamsala’s altitude leads to slightly colder weather conditions, which, combined with the pitch conditions, are likely to offer some seam movement. Given Bumrah’s prowess as a seam bowler, especially in such conditions, Bangar believed he would be a valuable addition to the team for this match.
“India’s last Test match is going to be in Dharamsala. It will be slightly cold and there will be a little seam movement because of the altitude at which the ground is located. Because of that, there will be one condition-based change. Jasprit Bumrah can return in place of Kuldeep Yadav,” explained Bangar.
Also READ: Ravichandran Ashwin picks his finest Test spell ahead of 100th appearance for India in whites
Bring a new debutant
Bangar asked for dropping Rajat Patidar from India’s playing XI and bringing in Devdutt Padikkal for the fifth Test. He justified this recommendation by highlighting Patidar’s lack of runs in the previous three matches.
“So India will play with three fast bowlers – (Mohammed) Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep. Also, because Rajat (Patidar) hasn’t scored runs in three Test matches, you can see a new debutant there. The Indian team can give a chance to Devdutt Padikkal. So two changes according to me,” Bangar stated.
