ENG vs IND 2025: 'Bring your trump card, level the series' - Irfan Pathan suggests wholesale changes for India in Oval Test
"The pacers will be tired. Then use Kuldeep, new and fresh," Irfa Pathan said.
Irfan Pathan has suggested that the Indian team should make multiple changes to their playing XI for the fifth and final Test match, which takes place at The Oval in London, starting on Thursday, July 31, in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. India are trailing 1-2 in the series after a resilient effort with the bat helped them salvage a draw in the fourth Test.
India will miss the services of Rishabh Pant, who has been ruled out with a foot fracture. Pathan said that Dhruv Jurel should walk into the XI in place of the Indian vice-captain. Jasprit Bumrah's workload might also be managed, and he could be given a rest. The former India all-rounder opined that Kuldeep Yadav should come into the side in place of Bumrah, as he could help the team in picking up 20 wickets. Pathan also mentioned a third change as he reckoned that either Arshdeep Singh or Prasidh Krishna could come in place of Anshul Kamboj, who didn't have a memorable international debut in the fourth Test.
"I feel Jurel will come in place of Pant. He will bat there. Kuldeep in place of Bumrah. And for Anshul Kamboj, I feel either Arshdeep, do you make him debut? Kamboj debuted and there was lot of pressure on him. But Arshdeep is still different. He is a regular in white-ball and has the wicket-taking ability. It will be comparatively easy for him to debut. Will they look at Prasidh? either one of them. So you have six bowling options. The pacers will be tired. Then use Kuldeep, new and fresh. Bring in your trump card for the final match and level the series," he said on his YouTube channel.
Washington Sundar has given that depth, which has made a big difference: Irfan Pathan
Pathan also lauded Washington Sundar, who has excelled with both bat and ball in the ongoing five-match series. On the final day of the fifth Test, he slammed his maiden international century. Pathan said that the Tamil Nadu star's inclusion has added a lot of depth to the Indian team.
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"Sundar plays at 7,8,9 and suddenly comes at 5 and makes runs. Since he has come into the team he has been like a boon in batting and bowling. He has given that depth, which has made a big difference. It looks like he can fix a spot at 5 or 6 going forward. It is a very big positive in that sense," he said.
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