Karun Nair is expected to be an extra batsman for India in the crucial last Test match of the India-England series, according to sources.
All-rounder Shardul Thakur, who participated in the fourth Test, is expected to be replaced by him. Anshul Kamboj and Jasprit Bumrah will give way to Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna in the seam-bowling division. Bumrah may be given a break as the management attempts to control his workload, even though Kamboj did not impress on his debut in the fourth Test.
Beginning on Thursday, July 31, India will play England in the fifth and final Test match at The Oval in London in an attempt to tie the series. India will be optimistic about their prospects of winning at The Oval after batting for over five sessions and drawing the fourth Test. With a 2-1 advantage for England, the series is intriguingly balanced.
Due to an injury, Deep was unable to play in the fourth Test, and Krishna was sidelined after poor performances in the first two Tests. The leader of the bowling attack will still be Mohammed Siraj. On the tour, he will play his fifth Test match.
Rishabh Pant, a batter and wicketkeeper who was sidelined for the series due to a fractured right foot, would be replaced by Dhruv Jurel.
If India goes in with this combination, wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh would complete the tour without getting a game. Once more, Kuldeep was unable to have an impact because of the grass covering the ground. India strengthened their batting department for the same reason.
By the way, India’s solitary victory in this series occurred in the Second Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, which Bumrah did not play in. With ten and seven wickets, respectively, Deep and Siraj were the standout players in that match. In Bumrah’s absence, Indian supporters will be looking to the pair for another valiant performance. Krishna will also have to provide them with good assistance.
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