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India's Playing XI for fifth Test: Karun Nair set for comeback; Kuldeep Yadav to miss out again, says report
Kuldeep Yadav will reportedly be not given a chance in the fifth Test and India are set to pick Karun Nair once again. Images: Reuters
Kuldeep Yadav is set to be ignored again and Karun Nair may get one more chance in the fifth and final India vs England Test at The Oval that starts on Thursday (31 July), a report states. We reported earlier that Jasprit Bumrah would be sitting out, as a decision has been made collectively by the player, selectors, and India management to prioritise his workload. And while Akash Deep, who is now fit after missing the fourth Test due to a back issue, would be replacing Bumrah in the playing XI, India are also set to make some other big bang changes.
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Many fans and experts hoped, coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill would be leaning towards spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the absence of Bumrah, as they would need a genuine wicket-taker in the team. India trail 2-1 in the five-match series and The Oval Test is their final opportunity to level the score.
Karun Nair set for comeback; Kuldeep to miss out again
However, a report in the Indian Express on Thursday has claimed that it will be Karun Nair who will come into the playing XI as a replacement for Shardul Thakur and not Kuldeep. This means India would be sticking to their policy to have at least eight batters in the line-up.
Also Read | Oval Test: The Bumrah decision, the Kuldeep no-brainer and the Arshdeep call
Dhruv Jurel would replace injured Rishabh Pant, while pacer Prasidh Krishna would take Anshul Kamboj's place and not Arshdeep Singh, the report added.
India had called up N Jagadeesan to the squad after Pant injured his toe in the Manchester Test, but Jurel was always the favourite to play the fifth Test. The biggest surprises are Prasidh coming and not Arshdeep and even bigger is Karun Nair getting another opportunity, while Kuldeep remains on the bench.
Also Read | Ben Stokes misses out as England make a whopping 4 changes for Oval Test
This, however, aligns with Gambhir and Gill's strategy of safety-first.
India likely Playing XI for 5th Test vs England: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
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Hindustan Times
26 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Shubman Gill told he 'doesn't need' Jasprit Bumrah because Mohammed Siraj can win games now: 'Tell him we no longer...'
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between England and India definitely lived up to the high billing as the two teams produced some riveting action both on and off the field. It is only fitting for the series outcome to read 2-2 as neither team was above or beneath the other, although India did win more sessions. The decider at the Oval had everything going down to the wire before Mohammed Siraj's never-say-die attitude helped Shubman Gill's India register a narrow six-run win. Has Mohammed Siraj pipped Jasprit Bumrah to become Shubman Gill and India's No. 1 Test bowler?(AFP) Harry Brook and Joe Root scored centuries in the final innings as England looked set to chase down 374 to win the series 3-1. However, Brook's irresponsible shot opened the floodgates for India, and the visitors barged through the door to register a memorable win on Day 5. Days after the conclusion of the five-match series, The Hindustan Times spoke to former England spinner Monty Panesar about the high skill on display by both teams. Panesar, who was instrumental in helping England win a Test series in India in 2012, said Gill's side would rue the chance of not winning the series after being on top of England for most of the 25 days. He also discussed Siraj's workhorse-like ability and whether Joe Root can break Sachin Tendulkar's record of most runs in Test cricket. Excerpt: Is 2-2 a fair reflection of how both teams played in the series? After a heavy workload of the IPL, India goes and plays a five-Test match series. Every given moment, they turned up. At Old Trafford, they drew the Test match. At Lords, it could have been anyone's game. They probably should have won that game, but England were very lucky with that wicket of Siraj. And then, at the Oval, they were brilliant. At the Oval, on the 5th day, overcast conditions, everything went in their favour. So, I think India played better cricket. I think the Oval test match victory was probably, actually, the moment when it showed that India won the series. Well, I think everyone took it by surprise. When Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin retired, everyone thought England would win the contest. But it shows the strength of Indian cricket. Shubman Gill rose to the challenge. I always thought that he was almost lazy in his footwork when he wasn't the captain, and now, he's phenomenal. And I think we're going to hopefully see the best of them in the next couple of years. Did Shubman Gill impress you as a captain? What did you make of his tactical acumen? He'll grow into the role. I think his career Test will probably come, how he does in India, really. And, more than turning pictures, you know, does he have the spinners to do that without Ashwin and Jadeja? Washington Sundar will be there, and it will be about whether he can live up to the expectations of Ashwin. I think Kuldeep Yadav has to play. He has to bring him into the equation somehow. But the biggest factor, as for Shubman here, is that he can win Test matches without Jasprit Bumrah. That's a massive acclaim. The best bowler in the world. He doesn't need him. I think India can win Test matches without Jasprit Bumrah. I think that's the biggest achievement from his captaincy. Mohammed Siraj basically put the concept of workload management to rest as he bowled more than 180 overs in the entire series. Was he the game-changer for India? Well, it just shows that Mohammed Siraj is the key now. They've got to build an attack around him. And his fitness is very important. Jasprit Bumrah doesn't have the fitness to play the five Test matches. So, he's again, in and out, kind of the guy to come in. But Mohammed Siraj can win the games now. 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I think Australia are the favourites because the attack is very strong. And England will have to find a way to score 400 consistently. They sometimes give it away, just like Jacob Bethell did in the Oval Test. He gave it away by dancing down the track. He got out, India got the momentum. I don't think England can afford to do that in Australia. They might just have to curb a little bit on Bazball in Australia.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Sachin Tendulkar Reviews India-England Test Series: No Handshake, Cool Shubman, Mature Jaiswal
Last Updated: tendulkar Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, the man who inspired an entire generation and beyond to pick up the bat, dove deep into the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, wherein India heroically drew the Test series 2-2 on English soil. Tendulkar, who holds the record for the most runs (1575) scored in Tests by an Indian batter in England, touched upon the handshake controversy, the newly appointed Indian skipper Shubman Gill, the importance of pacer Mohammed Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal's role in guiding nightwatchman Akash Deep in their century stand, and more. Sachin Tendulkar, the brand ambassador of Reddit India, felt India did the right thing by rejecting the handshake Ben Stokes and Co. offered in the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester just moments before Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja's respective centuries. The Handshake Controversy India had a disastrous start in the fourth innings of the fourth Test in Manchester. England posted an intimidating 669 in their first innings in response to India's 358. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan were dismissed inside the first over on Day 4, and India looked at a certain defeat. A loss here would have also meant a series defeat for the visiting party. However, KL Rahul (90), along with captain Shubman Gill (103), put up a heroic show, a partnership of 188 runs that brought back a sense of relief and smiles on the faces of tense fans. Day 5 brought a new set of challenges for Team India after Rahul and Gill departed in quick succession, as the scorecard now read 222/4. But Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja had no plans of surrendering to the hosts. The fantastic duo slammed tons. Jadeja clocked 107 off 185, while his partner, Sundar, posted his maiden Test century and remained unbeaten on 101 off 206 balls. 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So why should they (India) go ahead (to shake hands) and give the rest to England fielders and the bowlers? If they (England) want to bowl Harry Brook, it was Ben Stokes' choice. That is not India's problem. So, to me, it was absolutely fine," he added. Tendulkar opined that India had to endure the full-time bowlers all day long before Harry Brook was handed the ball. Jadeja and Sundar weren't playing for their centuries but saving the match for India. 'They were playing for a draw, not their centuries. If they had gotten out when they came out to bat, we could've lost the Test. A few more wickets and we would've been in trouble. When they came out to bat, Harry Brook wasn't bowling, right? Someone else was. So, why should England's bowlers and fielders be kept fresh for the 5th Test? Do you have an answer for that? No!" Yashasvi Jaiswal With so many men in the playing XI rising to the occasion throughout the five-match Test series, Yashasvi Jaiswal may not have gotten the limelight he perhaps deserved. The Indian opener accumulated 411 runs at 41.10 average with two centuries and as many half-centuries to his name. Stressing the importance of Jaiswal, Tendulkar admitted that he was impressed by the young cricketer's mindset. 'Jaiswal impressed me because of his mindset. He is fearless, knows how to accelerate, when to be at the non-strikers' end, and when to play a phase out carefully. You cannot bat in a single gear. You need to use different gears. This is what he did right from the first Test. He did look uncomfortable at times in the first Test, but eventually it boils down to the right column of the scorecard, and he scored a 100, the legendary cricketer said. 'For me, it was important. The first innings of the first match in a five-Test series is very critical." The veteran also congratulated Jaiswal on masterfully guiding Akash Deep when the nightwatchman came to bat and added an invaluable 66 to India's score. 'In the last Test, when he scored a century, a magnificent one on a difficult track to bat on. He showed character, maturity and determination. The way he guided Akash Deep, motivated him to score, it was a treat to watch." Captain-Batter Shubman Gill Shubman Gill won praises from cricket pundits and fans alike for kicking off his maiden Test series as a captain on a high. Drawing a Test series on English soil was no easy feat. Defying the weight of the skipper's hat, Gill also hammered 754 runs in five Tests, earning him the Player of the Series award. 'The most important thing that I noticed was the respect for a good ball, where the tendency is sometimes to push the ball in front foot, he was able to defend there, defend on front foot, it was solid, overall the shot selection was precise," Tendulkar said in a Reddit video. top videos View all 'Gill looked calm and composed, but when an opposition builds partnerships, it becomes tough for any captain to build a game plan and ensure that the runs dry up. Gill controlled the team and the game well," Tendulkar added. You can read Tendulkar's assessment of KL Rahul here. And his review on Mohammed Siraj here. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : sachin tendulkar view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 07, 2025, 10:03 IST News explainers Sachin Tendulkar Reviews India-England Test Series: No Handshake, Cool Shubman, Mature Jaiswal Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Sidhu Slams Gambhir's Critics After England Series: ‘Give Him The Credit He Deserves'
After a tough phase marked by consecutive Test series defeats to New Zealand and Australia, India's gritty 2-2 draw in the five-match Test series against England has become a defining chapter in the team's transition era. Leading the charge in this transformation was head coach Gautam Gambhir, whose decisions and conviction under pressure have now drawn praise from unlikely quarters—none louder than Navjot Singh Sidhu. Also Read: Happy Birthday Deepak Chahar! Inside His Fairytale Love Story With Wife Jaya Bharadwaj With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Test cricket just before the tour, India arrived in England with an inexperienced squad. Yet, they walked away with heads held high—thanks in part to Gambhir's vision and unwavering belief in youth. Sidhu's Sharp Rebuke to Gambhir's Critics: 'Will You Stand Up and Greet Him Today?' Sidhu, never one to mince words, launched a passionate defence of Gambhir's leadership during the high-stakes England tour. In a video on his YouTube channel, the former opener slammed critics who had routinely blamed Gambhir for India's struggles. 'We do a lot of hero-worshipping. I want to say that whenever India plays even a little badly, anyone and everyone climbs on Gautam Gambhir and blames him. Will you stand up and greet him today?' Sidhu asked pointedly. This public show of support struck a chord with fans and pundits alike, especially considering the immense pressure Gambhir faced before the tour. After a whitewash at home to New Zealand and losses in Australia, murmurs had already begun about his suitability as India's red-ball coach. But the gritty turnaround in England turned the tide. Backing the Young Brigade: Gambhir's Risk That Paid Off One of the most talked-about decisions from the tour was Gambhir's preference for Washington Sundar over Kuldeep Yadav—a move questioned by experts and fans. However, Gambhir's emphasis on batting depth and long-term transition planning eventually bore fruit. Sidhu credited Gambhir's 'conviction' for the results. 'It was Gautam Gambhir who insisted on this transition, who gave opportunities to guys like Akash Deep and Washington. Yes, Kuldeep was maybe a better option. But he had conviction.' Players like Akash Deep, previously unknown quantities on the international stage, seized the opportunity, helping script what Sidhu called a 'Brisbane-Perth-England' moment—a reference to India's greatest overseas triumphs. India's Young Core Signals a New Dawn With the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rajat Patidar stepping up alongside Washington and Akash, the series highlighted India's bench strength and the potential of its next-generation stars. Sidhu rightly pointed out that the absence of senior figures wasn't a weakness—it was a chance. 'There were many unknowns when the team went who had not made their name. Gambhir had told three to four big names are missing, but think of it as an opportunity. His words have proven to be true.' India's win in the fifth Test at The Oval, which helped level the series, was a culmination of this belief—built not just on talent, but on trust, bold calls, and hard-nosed cricket.
