IND vs ENG 5th Test: India vs England Live Updates – Ahead of the upcoming Test match against England, the Indian think tank is facing a plethora of selection dilemmas. The two cricket heavyweights will clash horns at Edgbaston on July 1, and before the battle on 22 yards, India will need to settle the ongoing battle in terms of picking the best possible playing XI. Follow IND vs ENG 5th Test live updates, India vs England Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Check out four big selection dilemmas Indian head coach Rahul Dravid is facing:
IND vs ENG 5th Test: Big Selection HEADACHE for Rahul Dravid ahead of Edgbaston test, India still looking for answers for 4 SELECTION PUZZLES: Check OUT
1. Finding an ideal replacement for Rohit Sharma
With Indian skipper Rohit Sharma testing positive for COVID-19, it is very unlikely that he will be to feature in the 1st Test. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team in his absence, but more than Rohit Sharma the skipper, India will miss Rohit Sharma the batter.
The men in blue will need to find a perfect replacement of Sharma. The obvious option is Mayang Agarwal, who has recently been included in the team. However, his recent form is not too promising. The player who has done well recently in KS Bharat, who looked in good touch in the practice match against Leicestershire. India could also choose to play Bharat as an opener.
2. Mohammed Siraj vs Umesh Yadav
It seems certain that India will have Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami as the frontline pace duo for the Edgbaston Test. With that being said and done, the big debate is now regarding the third pacer slot, with two top-quality speedsters in Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav fighting for the role. Siraj would usually be the preferred option, but he could barely impress in IPL 2022 while Umesh was at his very best. Hence, Rahul Dravid will need to solve this dilemma ahead of the game.
IND vs ENG 5th Test: Big Selection HEADACHE for Rahul Dravid ahead of Edgbaston test, India still looking for answers for 4 SELECTION PUZZLES: Check OUT
3. Two spinners or one?
Besides the pace options, India will be faced with another selection puzzle with regards to their bowling attack – whether to go with two pacers or have faith in one. In the case of the first option, Dravid could play both of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. However, if he wants four bowling options, either of Shardul Thakur or Prasidh Krishna could be selected ahead of Ashwin.
4. The Number 3 Conundrum – Hanuma Vihari or Cheteshwar Pujara?
The last, and perhaps one of the most important pieces of India’s jigsaw is the number 3 position, with Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari being the two players righting for the role. Pujara might have done well for Sussex in country cricket recently, but his form for the national team has not been up to the mark at all. Having said that, Vihari himself has not been very convincing in recent matches.
India Squad for England – ENG vs IND squad
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
IND vs ENG 5th Test: Big Selection HEADACHE for Rahul Dravid ahead of Edgbaston test, India still looking for answers for 4 SELECTION PUZZLES: Check OUT
Here is the revised schedule for the 2022 India tour of England:
England vs India Test series schedule
5th Test: Edgbaston | July 1-5
England vs India 2022, T20I series schedule
1st T201: Ageas Bowl | July 7
2nd T20I: Edgbaston | July 9
3rd T20I: Trent Bridge | July 10
England vs India 2022, ODI series schedule
1st ODI: Kia Oval | July 12
2nd ODI: Lord’s | July 14
3rd ODI: Manchester | July 17
IND vs ENG 5th Test: Big Selection HEADACHE for Rahul Dravid ahead of Edgbaston test, India still looking for answers for 4 SELECTION PUZZLES: Check OUT
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