India to change their playing 11 for Dharamsala Test? Sanjay Bangar reveals sensational details

Former Indian cricketer and batting coach Sanjay Bangar feels that team India should be implementing two changes in their side for the 5th Test at Dharamshala. By the conditions on offer, Bangar claimed that Rohit Sharma’s side should walk in with an extra seamer by dropping a spinner from the team. He also backed left-hand batter Devdutt Padikkal to earn his debut Test cap.

Sanjay Bangar backs Devdutt Padikkal to make debut, Kuldeep Yadav to sit out for Jasprit Bumrah

Sanjay Bangar is of the view that India’s only wrist spinner in the team, Kuldeep Yadav should be making way for Jasprit Bumrah in the starting XI. Bangar made this claim by keeping in mind the cool and breezy weather in Himachal Pradesh which might favor pacers more than the Turners.

Until now, spinners have had a better say in the series and it is evident in the top 5 highest wicket-takers list. Jasprit Bumrah appears as the only pacer to appear in the top 5 as he is level on 17 wickets with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. England off-spinner Tom Hartley leads the chart with 20 wickets whereas Kuldeep Yadav and Shoaib Bashir are the joint 5th highest.

But with the conditions contrastingly different in Dharamshala, Bangar feels Kuldeep should sit out. He also feels that the team management could be handing a debut to Karnataka batter Devdutt Padikkal in place of Rajat Patidar.

“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 said via Star Sports.

“So India will play with three fast bowlers Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep. Also, because Rajat 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 added.

While the England team have nothing much at stake except for pride, the hosts will be hoping to close off the series with a scoreline of 4-1. Another win will further boost India’s position in the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. They are leading the way already with 64.58% and 62 points from 5 wins, 2 losses and a draw.

With their next Test series taking place after the T20 World Cup in June, India should be grabbing the important points at Dharamshala.

Bangar praises Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep

Even if Jasprit Bumrah is the 2nd highest wicket-taker of the series, no one can forget his spells in the 2nd and 3rd Tests. He had figures of 9/91 in Vizag and 6/69 in the 3rd Test at Rajkot. He returned with these many wickets in a spinning track on both occasions and for that, Sanjay Bangar feels Bumrah must get a lot of credit.

Bangar also had high praise for Akash Deep who made his debut in the 4th Test at Ranchi.

“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. 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.” – Bangar concluded.