India will take the field to play in the IND vs ENG 5th Test. While the team combination is all set, there remains a doubt over who will accompany Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah was rested in the IND vs ENG 4th Test in an effort to manage his workload ahead of a busy season. However, the speedster is back, leaving open room for speculation about what India’s pace combination will be in the Dharamshala Test.
It remains to be seen if India play two or three seamers in the IND vs ENG 5th Test. Jasprit Bumrah will take the place as the first seamer in the line up. India have three more seamers in their arsenal for the 5th Test. They are Mohammad Siraj, Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar. It remains to be seen who among the three will get a look in.
In the absence of Bumrah in the 4th Test, India played two seamers in the form of debutant Akash Deep and Mohammad Siraj. Akash Deep put in a pretty decent performance in the match, taking three wickets in the first innings. However, he did not get a chance to bowl in the 2nd innings. On the other hand, Siraj picked up two wickets in the first innings but went wicketless in the 2nd innings.
Mukesh Kumar has only played one match of the IND vs ENG series. Mukesh played in the 2nd Test. Although India won the Test and levelled the series, Mukesh Kumar’s performance was largely underwhelming. The seamer bowled 12 overs and conceded 70 runs, taking just a solitary wicket. However, due his impressive performance for Bengal, he was recalled to the squad. But will he get a chance in the final Test match?
If India decide to go with two seamers, there’s a large possibility that Mohammad Siraj will accompany Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball. However, there’s also an outside possibility of India pairing Akash Deep with Bumrah.
If India decide to play three seamers in the Dharamshala pitch, India might go with Bumrah, Siraj and Akash Deep. Mukesh Kumar may not get a look in unless India decide to test their all-format bowler once again vs England. In that case, Akash Deep is most likely to be dropped from the playing XI.