Two changes to India’s playing XI have been suggested by Sanjay Bangar for the fifth Test match against England, which gets off in Dharamsala on Thursday, March 7. KL Rahul will not be available for Rohit Sharma and team for the fifth and final encounter of the series. But for the Dharamsala Test, Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the fourth game in Ranchi, has been called up.
Because of the conditions at Dharamshala, Sanjay Bangar stated on Star Sports that Bumrah ought to start in place of Kuldeep Yadav in the Indian playing XI. It would be interesting to see whether the management will spring another surprise as the Britishers would be keen to end on a high note after a below par performance by Ben Stokes’ brigade.
There will be a little seam movement because of the altitude- Sanjay Bangar
While discussing on Star Sports, Sanjay Bangar stated that because of the conditions in Dharamsala the seamers will get a little seam movement.
“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,” he elaborated.
The former all-rounder for India continued by saying that Devdutt Padikkal could have been selected to take Rajat Patidar’s place.
“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.
Kuldeep was one of India’s best players in the Ranchi Test, whereas Patidar has struggled in the three Tests he has played.
Noticeable factor for India was the fast bowlers’ bowling- Sanjay Bangar praises Indian pacers’ performances
When asked what stood out about India thus far in the series, Sanjay Bangar answered. The Indian seamers were praised by the former batting coach for their efforts that defined the game.
“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,” stated Bangar.
“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,” Bangar expressed.
In three Test matches, Jasprit Bumrah has taken 17 wickets at an amazing average of 13.64. During the first innings of the fourth Test, England got hit with three blows from Akash Deep with the new ball. In the first innings of the third Test match for the visitors, Mohammed Siraj bowled a critical 4/84.