IND vs ENG: India's Predicted Playing XI Against England, 5th Test

India will take on England in the rescheduled 5th Test in Birmingham to kickstart a full-fledged series against England. The series is a continuation of the series that was left incomplete in 2021. The series is a part of the ongoing WTC and the visitors are leading the series 2-1 heading into Edgbaston.

In a big blow to India, Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the Test match after he has failed to recover from covid on time. Jasprit Bumrah has been named India’s captain for the Test match and Rishabh Pant his deputy. Mayank Agarwal was added to the side in the knick of time and he will open the batting with Shubman Gill.

Rohit being ruled out has certainly put India on the backfoot. Mayank Agarwal did not play the practice match and has not been in the best of form since the IPL. All hopes now rest on Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara‘s shoulders given that they are the most experienced players in the side now.

The Indian team came way ahead of time for their preparations for the Tets match. They played a warmup game against Leicestershire. Things changed, however, once Rohit Sharma was tested covid positive last Saturday. Since then he was isolated and kept constant under medical observation. However, he did not recover on time for the Test match. Thankfully all the other players are fit and raring to go for the Test match.

In this article, we take a look at India’s possible playing XI for the 5th Test against England with Rohit Sharma ruled out. Previously KL Rahul was also ruled out with a groin injury.

IND vs ENG: India’s Predicted Playing XI Against England, 5th Test

Mayank Agarwal

Agarwal was roped in as Rohit Sharma’s cover. As it turned out, he finds himself eventually playing the Test match and opening the batting alongside Shubman Gill. Agarwal has been struggling for form since the IPL.

Also Read: Breaking News: Rohit Sharma Ruled Out Of 5th Test vs England, Jasprit Bumrah To Lead India

Shubman Gill

Gill scored a few good scores in the warmup game against Leicestershire. In Rohit’s absence, he now becomes key at the top of the order. The right-hander needs to give India a good start.

Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara is the most important figure in this batting lineup for the 5th Test. India’s fortunes in the match can well be defined by how Pujara plays in this Test match. A big score is expected from him in this match.

Virat Kohli

Kohli is another player who is expected to stand up and score runs in this Test match. He scored his last Test century in 2019 and cricket experts are expecting to end the century drought in this Test match. He slots in at four.

Hanuma Vihari

Vihari should be chosen over Shreyas Iyer for the fifth spot. He has a better technique in Test matches and a better understanding of the playing conditions in England.

Rishabh Pant (WK)

Rishabh Pant will bat at number six in the line-up. He is also assigned the role of vice-captain with Jasprit Bumrah leading the side. Pant is bet while playing Test cricket and he needs to produce the goods in this Tets match.

Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja might be preferred over Ravichandran Ashwin due to his better batting prowess. Also, lower down the order, India needs players who can counter-attack and Jadeja fit the bill being a naturally attacking batsman.

Shardul Thakur

Thakur was impressed with both bat and ball during India’s trip to England in 2021. He scored two fifties in the two innings of the Oval; Test and helped India win the match. He should be preferred for this Test match.

Mohammed Siraj

Siraj was another hero from India’s trip to the country back in 2021. So far in the series he has picked 14 wickets and is India’s second-highest wicket-taker.

Jasprit Bumrah (C)

Bumrah was assigned the role of captaincy after Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the Test match. He was India’s highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets before the series got postponed.

Mohammed Shami

Shami concludes what seems to be like India’s predicted playing Xi for the rescheduled 5th Test in Edgbaston. He took 11 wickets before the series got postponed. India should enter this Test match with five regular bowlers.

Also Read: ENG vs IND: Cheteshwar Pujara In Line To Open Innings In 5th Test – Reports