Sanjay Bangar has proposed two changes to India’s playing XI for the fifth Test against England, which begins in Dharamsala on Thursday, March 7.
Rohit Sharma’s team won’t have KL Rahul for the last match in the series. Jasprit Bumrah, though, is back. He sat out the fourth game in Ranchi but will play in the Dharamsala Test.
Bangar, commenting on Star Sports, suggested that Bumrah replace Kuldeep Yadav in India’s playing XI because to the circumstances in Dharamshala.
“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.”
Sanjay Bangar
The former India all-rounder also hinted that Rajat Patidar may have to make way for Devdutt Padikkal.
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.
While Patidar has failed in his three Test appearances, Kuldeep was one of India’s standout players in the Ranchi Test.
Sanjay Bangar lauds Indian pacers for delivering on spin-friendly pitches
Sanjay Bangar was asked what makes India stand out in the series thus far. The former India batting coach praised the Indian seamers for their game-changing efforts.
He said:
“When Test cricket happens in India and foreign players, especially England, South Africa and Australia, come to play, the discussions are about the type of wicket. When the pitches are slightly spin-friendly, you expect the spinners to take more wickets.”
Sanjay Bangar
Sanjay Bangar added:
“However, the standout performance or noticeable factor for India was the fast bowlers’ bowling. I remember Jasprit Bumrah’s spell in the second Test match or Akash Deep’s spell in the fourth Test match. India could win those Test matches because of the way the fast bowlers bowled in crucial stages.”
Sanjay Bangar
Jasprit Bumrah has 17 wickets at an impressive average of 13.64 in three Tests. Akash Deep delivered three strikes with the new ball during England’s opening innings of the fourth Test. Mohammed Siraj bowled a vital spell of 4/84 in the visitors’ opening innings of the third Test.