Image: Devdutt Padikkal will replace injured opener KL Rahul in India's squad for the decisive 5th Test against England in Dharamsala.
India is all set to take on England in the fifth and final Test of the series at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala from March 7. India goes into the game in high spirits, as they have already won the series 3-1 with a game to spare. Hence, the team can afford to make some experiments to their playing XI for the final Test match. Hence, it looks likely that there will be some chopping and changing in the squad for the game at Dharamsala.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, discussions are ongoing within the team management to rest a few players due to workload management. The report also states that the team management is seriously considering resting a key bowler and a batter for the final match of the series. The names however have not been revealed.
India continues strategic workload management in ongoing Test series. Siraj and Bumrah were both rested, with Bumrah's expected return for the 5th Test set to bolster India's bowling attack. As the series' joint-highest wicket-taker, his presence will be a major advantage.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar met head coach Rahul Dravid, the other members of the coaching staff and captain Rohit Sharma as soon as the Ranchi Test ended. After Rahul communicated his status in consultation with the NCA medical team, it was decided that going ahead with Padikkal was the best option.
Kl Rahul Likely Out for Final Test, Padikkal Set for Debut. Rahul's ongoing recovery from a quadriceps injury makes his return for the March 7th Test in Dharamsala unlikely.
"Padikkal will make his debut in Dharamsala. Rahul is unlikely to be available and the team management wants to have a look at Padikkal as it is the last international fixture before the IPL," a BCCI source told Hindustan Times.
In Karnataka's fifth-round fixture of Ranji Trophy against Tamil Nadu in Chennai that finished in a draw on Monday, Padikkal was player of the match, having scored 151 and 36.
The 151-run knock came when Agarkar was watching the proceedings from the stands. Padikkal's highest score this season has been 193, which he scored in Karnataka's opening match against Punjab.
Padikkal was also part of the India A team that faced the England Lions in Ahmedabad and impressed with scores of 65, 21, and 105. His century in the second unofficial Test was part of a massive first-innings batting effort that helped set up an innings victory.
India's Squad for Final test: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul*, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KS Bharat (WK), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep
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