Xtra Time Web Desk: What will be the probable Playing XI for Team India in the 5th test against England after going by the last two practice sessions? There has been too much confusion surrounding the availability of India’s regular captain Rohit Sharma for the rescheduled fifth test against England at Edgbaston starting from Friday, July 1. Rohit as per multiple reports was ruled out of the test but Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid said he is not ruled out. That’s where is the confusion whether or not Rohit will play. The Mumbai batter have to return two negative RT-PCR tests for him to be available. If Rohit is not available, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side.
Now the obvious question, who will partner Shubman Gill at the top in the absence of Rohit? Going by the practice sessions it will be between Hanuma Vihari and Cheteshwar Pujara, who will be entrusted with the job. Pujara was seen batting for extended sessions at the nets. He did bat at the start of the net’s session along with Shubman Gill on Wednesday.
Although India have summoned Mayank Agarwal to Birmingham, it is highly unlikely he will get an opportunity. Hanuma Vihari and Cheteshwar Pujara are two options at the moment. But considering India’s middle-order woes, Pujara is likely to remain at No 3. In that scenario Vihari will open the batting.
Virat Kohli’s return to form in the four-day warm up game was pleasing for India. He will walk in to bat at his usual position at No 4 followed by Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja. It will be a toss up between Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur, depending on the conditions. Both Ashwin and Shardul were seen batting at the nets for a long time on Wednesday.
As far as the pace bowling department is concerned Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami will partner with Jasprit Bumrah . Bowling coach Paras Mhambrey was seen having one on one sessions with each one of them in last two practice sessions.
So, this will how India’s probable XI will look like for the rescheduled fifth test match against England at Edgbaston cricket ground:
1.Shubman Gill
2. Hanuma Vihari
3. Cheteshwar Pujara
4. Virat Kohli
5. Shreyas Iyer
6.Rishabh Pant
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Shardul Thakur / R Ashwin
9. Mohammed Shami
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Mohammed Siraj