England vs India 2018, 5th Test Match: India's Predicted Playing XI

With series result done and dusted, India will play to better the series margin. England is 3-1 up in the series and has already bagged the series. However, India will look to make a better comeback. Cricket Addictor looks at India’s Predicted Playing XI.

In fact, it is going to be a dead rubber. Nevertheless, Virat Kohli is not going to take it that way. He will like his team to play with the same intensity as they will want to make it 3-2 rather than going back with a 4-1 scoreline.

Meanwhile, England will not like to take the foot off the paddle. The way they have bounced back from tricky situations is commendable and will like to catapult coup de grace on India.

The visitors might look to make some changes to their playing XI. There are reports that Prithvi Shaw might replace KL Rahul who has struggled in the ongoing series as he has scored 109 runs. Thus, the 18-year old prodigy is in contention to make his Test debut. On the other hand, Ravichandran Ashwin is unfit and can sit out from the playing XI.

Here is a look at India’s Predicted Playing XI for the fifth Test at the Oval.

Openers:

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan has been able to win the early battle in his innings. However, the southpaw opener hasn’t been able to convert his starts into a big score. He has shown the stomach for the fight but needs to make the most of his starts to lay down a solid platform.

Prithvi Shaw 

Prithvi Shaw has impressed with his skills as an 18-year old. The young lad had also toured with India A on the recent tour of England. Therefore, he is well acclimatized to the English conditions. Thus, the stage is set for India to give an opportunity to Shaw to showcase his skills sets. Shaw will be in line for India’s Predicted Playing XI.

Number three.

Cheteshwar Pujara

Chesteshwar Pujara had scored a fine first knock of 132 in the previous Test match at Southampton. India’s number three was solid in the initial stages of his innings. He had rescued India from the troubled waters when they had only two wickets left.

Middle Order.

Virat Kohli

It seems Virat Kohli is batting on a different planet and against different bowlers than the rest of the Indian batsmen. He is watching the ball like a football and has been super consistent with the average of 68 in the ongoing series. Hence, Kohli will want more support from his batsmen.

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane had scored a valiant knock of 51 runs in the second innings and had given a ray of hope to India’s run-chase. Rahane has hit form, however, he has been a bit late in finding his Midas Touch. The Indian deputy will like to make a good contribution in the final Test of the series.

All-rounder.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya cannot afford to give a performance in every five Test matches. He needs to be more consistent, especially with the ball. The Indian all-rounder is trying his best with the bat. However, the team wants more from him as an all-rounder.

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant had a tough day at the office in the last Test match at Ageas Bowl. Pant will need to sort out his batting technique while playing in the lower order. In fact, Pant only knows to bat in the topmost gear however he will need to mold his game.

Spinner.

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravichandran Ashwin is unfit which means Ravindra Jadeja will be in contention to play his maiden game of the tour. Jadeja can chip in with the bat as well and hits the bullseye with his bowling. Furthermore, Jadeja is a gun fielder. Thus, Jadeja is in contention to be in India’s Predicted Playing XI.

Fast Bowlers.

Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma is the leading wicket-getter from the Indian side with 15 wickets. India’s pack leader has hit the right areas and had got crucial wickets while bowling upfront. Furthermore, the lanky fast bowler has also hung in with the bat.

Mohammad Shami

Mohammad Shami has impressed with the ball. He had scalped four wickets in the second innings in the previous Test, however, he was under-bowled by Virat Kohli. Shami has presented the upright seam and has hit the corridor of uncertainty to trouble England batsmen.

Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah has been the find for India in the Test matches. Bumrah has shown the promise to be India’s future pack leader and has done well in the young days of his International Test career. Consequently, Bumrah will look to continue with the good work.