Kuldeep Yadav finally picked as India playing XI selected for Oval Test

Indian wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been warming the bench in the ongoing five-match Test series against England. Since India's team strategy favors all-rounders, Kuldeep Yadav has been waiting for his chance in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

The Indian cricket team pulled off a memorable draw on the final day of the fourth Test against England, thanks to amazing centuries from Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shubman Gill in the second innings at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.

Dodda Ganesh picks his India XI after Manchester thriller

After being under pressure, India showed great patience and skill with the bat. They finished strong at 425/4, and both teams agreed to end the fourth Test match with a handshake. It was a proud moment for the Indian cricket team as they avoided a loss in tough conditions.

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However, the England cricket team is still the favorite to clinch the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, having taken a 2-1 lead, but India also has a chance to level the five-match Test series at The Oval, where they will lock horns in the final game from Thursday, July 31.

Kuldeep Yadav makes India's Playing XI for the final Test

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav has finally made it to the playing XI for the much-awaited final Test against England. However, the left-arm spinner made the cut in the former India cricketer Dodda Ganesh’s predicted playing XI that he shared on his X (formerly Twitter) on July 28.

As India would certainly go for a victory at The Oval, Dodda Ganesh felt it was time for the Chinaman bowler to shine in England. There have already been a lot of calls for Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion for the Manchester Test, but the tourists went with Shardul Thakur, and he couldn’t make much impact.

Since Ravindra Jadeja is taking wickets in the tough English conditions, Ganesh wants India to bet on Kuldeep for the final Test. Kuldeep is a smart spinner who knows how to mix things up. He changes his speed, flight, and spin to keep batters guessing. His special weapon is the googly that can easily fool the batter completely, and Ganesh feels he can be India’s x-factor at The Oval.

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KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal retained as openers

Meanwhile, the cricket pandit went with the same opening pairs in KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who have so far scored 511 runs and 291 runs, respectively, in the four Test matches. He kept Sai Sudharsan at No. 3 despite not much success in his debut series, scoring 91 runs in 2 tests.

His middle order features captain Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel because the star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was ruled out of the fifth Test against England due to a foot injury. Shubman Gill is the leading run scorer in the ongoing Test series with 722 runs in 4 matches.

Dodda Ganesh picks Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar in his Playing XI

Dodda then picked Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar as his all-rounders and Kuldeep Yadav as the specialist spinner. While Jadeja is the fourth leading run scorer with 454 runs, Sundar scored 205 runs in 3 matches. Both Jadeja and Sundar have scalped seven wickets in the series so far.

Ganesh’s fast bowling attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah despite the fact that the Indian selectors had decided to play the ace pacer only in the three Tests, and he will be assisted by Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep in the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval.

Dodda Ganesh’s India XI for 5th Test:

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep