India and England are set to clash in the fifth and final Test match of the series starting July 31, 2025, at The Oval in London. With just a three-day turnaround after the dramatic draw in the fourth Test, Team India is expected to make significant changes to its playing XI. These decisions are largely influenced by injuries, workload management, and the strategic need for wicket-taking options on what is expected to be a good batting surface.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already confirmed that Rishabh Pant will not be available for the final Test after he sustained a foot fracture. Additionally, Jasprit Bumrah’s workload has become a central point of discussion, while newcomers like Anshul Kamboj might be replaced for performance reasons. Based on recent developments and expert speculations, here are the four most probable changes in India’s playing XI for the fifth Test.

1. Dhruv Jurel IN; Rishabh Pant OUT

Rishabh Pant, who has played a pivotal role in India's middle-order batting and keeping duties, has been ruled out after he fractured his foot while attempting a reverse sweep against Chris Woakes in the fourth Test. The injury occurred during the first innings at Old Trafford. Despite his injury, Pant showed grit by continuing to bat, but the BCCI confirmed his unavailability soon after the Test ended.

Dhruv Jurel, who had already kept wickets in the second and fourth Tests, is expected to be the like-for-like replacement. Though he is yet to bat in the series, Jurel has shown excellent reflexes and confidence behind the stumps. He will likely make his batting debut in this series at The Oval.

2. Akash Deep IN; Jasprit Bumrah OUT

Jasprit Bumrah, India's strike bowler, has bowled 119.4 overs so far in the series, including 33 in the last match alone. According to pre-tour workload planning, Bumrah was supposed to play only three Tests, which he has already completed.

Although many fans want Bumrah to play the final Test to help India level the series 2-2, team management is reportedly focused on long-term fitness. Hence, Akash Deep, who missed the last Test due to a groin injury, is expected to return. He is now fully fit, as confirmed by head coach Gautam Gambhir. Akash Deep had previously impressed in domestic cricket and offers pace and seam movement that can trouble English batters.

3. Prasidh Krishna IN; Anshul Kamboj OUT

The debut of Anshul Kamboj was one of India's more adventurous moves in the series. However, he struggled in his first outing, bowling 18 overs, conceding 89 runs, and taking only one wicket. With the stakes high for the final Test, India may opt to go with experience.

Prasidh Krishna, who played in the first two Tests, might return despite a lackluster performance earlier. If the team chooses to stick with Kamboj for continuity, then Krishna might replace Mohammed Siraj, who has bowled the most overs (139) among Indian bowlers and may need rest. Either way, Krishna is likely to feature in the XI as India looks to refresh their pace attack.

4. Kuldeep Yadav IN; Shardul Thakur OUT

One of the most talked-about exclusions from the Indian playing XI so far has been Kuldeep Yadav. With The Oval expected to offer some turn, especially in the latter half of the game, India might finally bring in Kuldeep as the third spinner.

Although this inclusion might make the tail slightly longer, the need to take 20 wickets outweighs batting depth. Both Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar have proven themselves with the bat, allowing India to strengthen their bowling attack without compromising too much on lower-order resistance.

Shardul Thakur, despite his all-round abilities, has underperformed with both bat and ball in the last few games. Kuldeep’s inclusion could be India’s x-factor, especially if the pitch starts taking turn from Day 3 onward.

India's Probable Playing XI for the Fifth Test at The Oval:

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal

2. KL Rahul

3. Sai Sudharsan

4. Shubman Gill (Captain)

5. Ravindra Jadeja

6. Dhruv Jurel (Wicket-keeper)

7. Washington Sundar

8. Kuldeep Yadav

9. Akash Deep

10. Mohammed Siraj

11. Prasidh Krishna

Strategic Implications

This Test is a must-win for India if they want to level the series 2-2 and maintain momentum in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. The Oval is known for its batting-friendly surface early on that gradually assists spinners later in the match. By potentially including Kuldeep, India is clearly aiming to maximize their bowling variety.

Meanwhile, England is expected to retain most of their squad, although changes in their bowling unit are also anticipated due to the short turnaround time. India will also be banking on the form of top-order batters like Jaiswal and Gill, as well as lower-order resilience from Jadeja and Sundar.

Conclusion

With the series hanging in balance, Team India is making tactical changes aimed at improving performance and managing player fitness. The likely inclusion of Dhruv Jurel, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Kuldeep Yadav signals a shift towards a more aggressive, bowling-heavy strategy. Whether this bold move pays off will be seen starting July 31 at The Oval, in what promises to be a thrilling end to a hard-fought Test series.

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