India Gears Up for Fifth Test with Health Fast Bowlers and Jagadeesan Included
India Gears Up for Fifth Test with Health Fast Bowlers and Jagadeesan Included
India vs England 5th Test: Rishabh Pant ruled out of fifth Test due to injury. The Selection Committee has named Narayan Jagadeesan the replacement for Pant.
India's preparations for the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval have received a timely boost with two key updates the full fitness of their fast bowling unit and the addition of Tamil Nadu's N Jagadeesan to the squad.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that all of India’s fast bowlers, including pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, are fit and available for selection. Bumrah, who has been crucial throughout the series, was initially expected to play just three Tests to manage his workload after a long injury layoff. However, with India trailing 2-1 in the series, Gambhir hinted that the team might revise those plans.
He acknowledged that although the final playing XI hadn’t been decided, the availability of all pacers gives the team flexibility and strategic options. Gambhir emphasised that every player chosen would be fully prepared and driven to deliver for the country.
This update is particularly significant considering the importance of maintaining bowling intensity across all five days of a Test, especially against a resilient England side. Alongside Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, and Navdeep Saini form a varied attack capable of exploiting different conditions and the Oval’s pitch could provide extra bounce and movement to reward them.
In a parallel development, wicketkeeper-batter N Jagadeesan has been added to the Indian squad as a replacement for Rishabh Pant, who suffered a fracture to his left foot while batting in the fourth Test at Old Trafford. Pant’s absence is a setback given his dynamic presence with both bat and gloves, but Jagadeesan’s inclusion injects fresh energy into the team.
Aged 29, Jagadeesan has been one of the most consistent performers in domestic cricket over the past two Ranji Trophy seasons, amassing over 1400 runs and displaying impressive temperament and adaptability. He’s expected to join the squad in London by Tuesday and will serve as the backup wicketkeeper to Dhruv Jurel, who impressed behind the stumps in Pant’s absence during the last two Tests.
With England having edged ahead in the series, the Oval Test becomes a must-win for India if they wish to square things up at 2-2. The return of a fully fit pace battery and the arrival of an in-form replacement wicketkeeper signal a spirited comeback attempt.
Both team strategy and individual performances will be under the spotlight, and fans can expect a gripping finale. India’s combination of experience and fresh talent sets up a compelling narrative one of resilience, tactical depth, and a quest to reclaim momentum.