New Delhi: The five-match Test series in England has now reached its final stage. India did achieve a memorable draw at Old Trafford in Mancheste r, but the team is still looking for the “perfect” playing XI ahead of the final Test, especially regarding the bowling combination.
India has preferred batting up to number eight instead of a specialist bowler throughout the series. Questions have been raised on this strategy and this debate has intensified after Shardul Thakur, who played in place of Nitish Reddy in the Old Trafford Test, was used to bowl only 11 overs.
Demand raised to give chance to Kuldeep Yadav
For the first time since 2014 at Old Trafford, India conceded more than 600 runs, due to which the demand to give a chance to a wicket-taking bowler like Kuldeep Yadav has become stronger now. Kuldeep has been on the bench for the last 40 days and now there is a discussion about including him in the playing XI.
Fitness of fast bowlers and possibility of change
Anshul Kamboj’s debut was not special, so Akash Deep or Prasidh Krishna, who have become fit, can replace him. At the same time, Arshdeep Singh, who has recovered from a hand injury, will also be dreaming of a Test debut. Although head coach Gautam Gambhir has declared all the fast bowlers fit, bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj seem to be struggling with fatigue.
Jadeja-Sundar’s struggling innings and playing eleven strategy
Due to Rishabh Pant’s injury, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja were included in India’s top six in the second innings and both batted for two sessions, hitting brilliant centuries. If the same formula is adopted at the Oval, Dhruv Jurel will bat at number seven and India can go with four specialist bowlers. Kuldeep or an additional fast bowler can get a chance as the fourth bowler.