Former India all-rounder and batting coach Sanjay Bangar has revealed his preferred playing XI for the upcoming fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England. The series-decider will be played at The Oval from July 31 and the visitors are dealing with a few selection dilemmas ahead of the clash.
One of the biggest concerns for India remains the availability of Jasprit Bumrah. It was earlier confirmed that Bumrah would only feature in three Tests this series and he has already played his allotted games. As per reports, Bumrah will be rested for the fifth Test. However, Bangar believes that India cannot afford to do this and must play their premier fast-bowler in a must-win match.
He has suggested three changes to the team. Bangar feels India do not need to play an additional batter as the top-order has been in good form. He expects Dhruv Jurel to replace injured Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper-batter in the top seven and has urged the management to include left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. He further noted that Akash Deep could replace Anshul Kamboj in the bowling unit.
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Sanjay Bangar Explains Why Jasprit Bumrah Must Play and Calls for Inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav
Sharing his thoughts on the Star Sports show Game Plan, Bangar explained why he feels India do not require an extra batter. He said:
"Out of the seven batters that may potentially bat at the Oval in the top seven, five have got hundreds. So do you really require another batter batting at No. 8? I don't think that is needed at the moment. The second-most important conversation would be to see where Jasprit Bumrah is."
He also spoke about Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness and stressed that the pacer should play the decider.
"If you think of how Jasprit Bumrah bowled in the last Test match, he certainly extended his length of spells. When he had a bit of a niggle, he still came back and bowled. So he doesn't seem to be in any sort of discomfort, at least from a distance. So make him play because this is a must-win Test match for India," Bangar added.
Discussing bowling combinations, Bangar said that he expects Akash Deep, who did not take part in the fourth Test due to a niggle, to replace Kamboj. He also wants Shardul Thakur to make way for Kuldeep.
"That would sort a lot of the issues as far as bowling is concerned because (Mohammed) Siraj is anyway going to play. Maybe Anshul may miss out, and Akash Deep might just come back in. So one spot remains. Whether Shardul Thakur plays or there is a place for Kuldeep Yadav, I would be tempted to go with Kuldeep Yadav," he stated.
Sanjay Bangar on Ravindra Jadeja’s Role
Bangar was also asked if Ravindra Jadeja should now be looked at primarily as a specialist batter. He pointed out that the all-rounder’s batting returns this series have been outstanding.
"If he has scored close to 500 runs and batted 900 balls in the series, at the moment, let's just think that whatever he gives with the ball is a bonus. He can clearly play as a batter in this team and maybe bat at No. 5 as well."
He further highlighted the flexibility of the middle-order, which includes Jadeja, Jurel and Washington Sundar.
"However, if Washington Sundar has scored a hundred batting at No. 5, it could be either-or, and Dhruv Jurel can slot in at No. 6 or No. 7. I think India does need the wrist-spin aspect. Most teams play an extra spinner at The Oval. So think and consider that your bonus bowler is just a batter, and you play a specialist wrist-spinner," Bangar concluded.
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