England Captain Ben Stokes is set to miss the final test against India at the KIA Oval, due to a shoulder injury he picked up while bowling in the second innings at Old Trafford.
This is a blow for the hosts, as Stokes is one of their most valuable players and the leader of the side.
Vice Captain Ollie Pope will lead the team out on Thursday morning, with Jacob Bethel coming in at number six.
Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, and Liam Dawson are expected to sit out the Test, with Josh Tongue, Jamie Overton, and Gus Atkinson likely to be their replacements.
With India needing to win the game to level the series, you would expect multiple changes in the side.
Bumrah, Thakur Rested? Kuldeep, Arshdeep Come In
Embed from Getty Images
Having saved the fourth Test, the tourists have some big decisions to make regarding their bowling attack.
Jasprit Bumrah is such a crucial asset to India, not just as a bowler, but as the leader of the attack.
The ace speedster was only going to play three out of the five Tests, but as India are 2-1, isn’t it worth taking the gamble for one last game?
His selection may depend on fitness, as he bowled 33 of the 157.1 Overs that India spent in the field.
If indeed he does sit this game out, there is a big chance that Arshdeep Singh could make his Test debut at The Oval.
India Captain Shubman Gill stated that a call will be made on Bumrah on the eve of the match.
Who will be taking the new ball for India if he does not play?
Embed from Getty Images
Shardul Thakur and Anshul Kamboj looked lacklustre on the docile surface at Old Trafford.
India’s attack lacked a bit of X-factor, as England were able to post a massive first innings score of 669.
As the Oval can offer everything in terms of pace, bounce, and spin, perhaps it is time to include the left-arm Chinaman bowler.
Embed from Getty Images
The advantage of playing someone like Kuldeep Yadav, is that he can spin the ball both ways, even on the flattest of surfaces.
While playing Kuldeep slightly weakens India’s batting, it does give them an extra wicket-taking options.
To win matches, you need 20 wickets,so perhap now is the time to bring him in? We will have to wait and see.
So this is the latest on the final Test of the England vs India Test Series.
Send us your thoughts, on World In Sport.
Source link
