Kuldeep Yadav gone once and for all; India finalize playing XI for Oval Test

India have reportedly decided on their playing XI for the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England. Karun Nair is expected to come into the side as an additional batter, replacing all-rounder Shardul Thakur, while Kuldeep Yadav is also set to be left out of the playing XI.

India trail 1-2 in the five-match series and must secure a win in the final Test, set to commence on Thursday, July 31, at The Oval, to level the series and avoid defeat.

England have made several changes to their squad. Ben Stokes has been ruled out due to a shoulder issue, with Ollie Pope taking over as captain. Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and Liam Dawson have been replaced by Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, and Jamie Overton.

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Karun Nair to Replace Shardul Thakur in India's Playing XI for 5th Test

According to the Indian Express, Karun Nair is expected to return to India’s playing XI for the fifth Test against England. He will replace pace-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur.

Nair, who featured in the first three Tests of the series, was dropped for the Manchester match. He had a modest run, scoring 131 runs in six innings at an average of 21.83, with a top score of 40.

Sai Sudharsan took the No. 3 spot in Manchester, scoring 61 in the first innings but falling for a golden duck in the second. Nair is likely to slot in at No. 5, while Dhruv Jurel is expected to replace Rishabh Pant. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar may bat at the No. 7 and No. 8 positions.

Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur’s place came under question after an underwhelming performance with the ball. He took just two wickets across two matches at an average of 72. In the Manchester Test, he bowled 11 overs without taking a wicket and scored 41 runs.

Kuldeep Yadav to Be Overlooked Again for 5th Test at The Oval

The report added that India is expected to change their pace unit, with Jasprit Bumrah and Anshul Kamboj likely to be replaced by Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna. Mohammed Siraj is set to lead the attack in Bumrah’s absence.

Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh will end the tour without featuring in a single match. Kuldeep will once again miss out due to pitch conditions that favour seam, with a green surface at The Oval. This has also allowed India to further strengthen their batting line-up.

Siraj, who impressed while leading the pace attack in Birmingham when Bumrah was rested, will once again shoulder the responsibility in the series decider. India had secured a 335-run victory in the second Test.

Jasprit Bumrah Set to Miss Final Test as BCCI Prioritizes Long-Term Fitness

Shubman Gill refrained from confirming Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the fifth and final Test against England. The pacer will not be available for the match at The Oval.

Notably, the BCCI medical team has advised Bumrah to sit out as a precautionary measure to protect his back, with a focus on his long-term fitness and workload management.

Bumrah has been a key performer in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. He is the joint-second highest wicket-taker in the series. The pacer has taken 14 wickets in just three matches at an average of 26, including two five-wicket hauls.

Also read: Abhishek Sharma creates history in ICC Rankings; Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja join