IND vs ENG: Indian Cricket Team playing 11 for 5th test vs England, Dharamsala - Predicted

IND vs ENG fifth test in Dharamsala will begin on 7th March, 2024.

India have defeated England in three out of four matches played so far in the ongoing five-match test series and sealed the series with an unassailable lead of 3-1. The visitors started series on a winning note, but the hosts bounced back nicely and registered three back-to-back wins to hand England their first test series defeat since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took charge as coach and captain, respectively.

India are likely to make a few changes in the playing XI for final test match of the series to be played at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. The fifth test match will start on 7th March, Thursday. Indian team management is likely to drop Rajat Patidar following his poor show with the bat in last three games. With Jasprit Bumrah ready for comeback, he will be directly drafted into the playing 11. Let’s have a look at the predicted Indian playing XI for the final test match in Dharamsala.

Indian Cricket Team playing 11 for fifth test vs England (Predicted):

1. Rohit Sharma (C):

After a ton in Rajkot, captain Rohit Sharma scored a fifty in the second innings of fourth test at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi. Rohit Sharma has so far scored 297 runs in first four tests of the series. He would like to add more runs to his name before lifting the trophy in Dharamsala.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal:

Left-hand opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has played two splendid knocks in the Visakhapatnam and Rajkot test matches. Jaiswal was close to another century in Ranchi, but fell short of his ton by 27 runs in the first innings. Jaiswal is the leading run-scorer in the ongoing series with 655 runs in 8 innings. Jaiswal will be looking to continue his form with at in the Dharamsala test as well.

3. Shubman Gill:

After a few initial failures, Shubman Gill now looks comfortable at number 3. Gill played a gritty knock of 52* in the second innings to win the fourth test match played in Ranchi. This was Shubman Gill’s third fifty plus score in last three test matches. Gill earlier hit a century in second innings of Vizag test and then scored 91 in the second innings of Rajkot test.

4. Devdutt Padikkal:

With KL Rahul being ruled out of the fifth test in Dharamsala and Rajat Patidar not performing upto his standards, fans should not get surprised if Devdutt Padikkal becomes test cap No. 314 of India. Padikkal might become fifth Indian player to make debut in the ongoing five-match test series against England. Devdutt Padikkal has so far played 33 First Class (FC) matches and scored 2227 runs including six centuries in 53 innings.

5. Sarfaraz Khan:

Sarfaraz Khan had an impactful debut in test cricket at the Niranjan Shah Cricket Stadium in Rajkot. After that, Sarfaraz Khan had a quiet game in Ranchi. Sarfaraz was dismissed for a golden duck in the second innings of the fourth test match. Dharamsala’s conditions will be a big test of his skills against seam and swing bowling. Sarfaraz took on English spinners nicely in his debut game.

6. Ravindra Jadeja:

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been so far very impressive in the ongoing five-match test series. After missing the second test in Vizag, Jadeja bounced back nicely at his home ground in the third test and then performed well in the fourth test too. He would like to put on a great all-round show in Dharamsala test as well. Jadeja is just eight scalps away from completing 300 test wickets.

7. Dhruv Jurel (WK):

India currently lead the five-match test series 3-1 after winning the fourth test in Ranchi, and for that, major share of credit goes to the newly inducted wicket-keeper batter Dhruv Jurel. Jurel scored 129 runs in the Ranchi test – both innings included – and helped India win the game to seal the series. Jurel has been so far impressive both behind and infront of the wickets. It would be interesting to see how Jurel plays in Dharamsala conditions, which might favour fast bowlers a bit more.

8. Ravi Ashwin:

Ace Indian off-spinner has not looked at his best in the ongoing five-match test series against England. Despite picking up 17 wickets in four test matches in the series, Ashwin looked a bit under pressure. Ravichandran Ashwin will be playing his 100th test match when he steps out at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala for fifth test against England.

9. Kuldeep Yadav:

Not only with ball, but Kuldeep Yadav has been a revelation for India in the ongoing series with the bat as well. Kuldeep Yadav scored vital 28 runs and added crucial partnership with Dhruv Jurel in the fourth test in Ranchi. Kuldeep Yadav also picked up four wickets in the second innings of Ranchi test to help India restrict the visitors to a small lead. Kuldeep will be India’s third spinner in the Dharamsala test.

10. Jasprit Bumrah:

Jasprit Bumrah, who was given rest for the fourth test against England in Ranchi, is likely to return to the playing 11 for the fifth test in Dharamsala. With the conditions favouring fast bowlers, don’t get surprised if Bumrah runs through England batting line-up just like he did against South Africa earlier this year. Bumrah has so far picked 17 wickets in the ongoing test series, and would like to add a few more before the series culminates in Dharamsala.

11. Mohammed Siraj:

Apart from a four-wicket spell in Rajkot, Mohammed Siraj has been off-colour with the ball against England in the ongoing series. Siraj has so far picked up only six wickets in three test matches. There might be a contest among Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj for the final place in the XI. Akash Deep had a terrific debut in Ranchi, but Indian team management might stick with Mohammed Siraj for the Dharamsala test.

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