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‘A Straight Swap’ - Aakash Chopra Predicts India's Playing XI For 5th Test vs ENG

Indian Team Against England (X.com)Indian Team Against England (X.com)

India’s former opening batter Aakash Chopra analyzed India’s squad for the fifth Test match while predicting the team’s probable playing XI. India and England will gear up for the final Test match of the series from 7th March at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.

Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid have stuck to their spin trio in the four Tests while playing two pacers. However, there could be scope for playing a third pacer in the final Test, considering the cold weather conditions making way for swing and seam in Dharamshala.


Aakash Chopra calls Jasprit Bumrah in for Akash Deep for the 5th Test in Dharamshala

In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra emphasized that India should stick to their bowling combination of playing three spinners and two pacers. With the fifth Test calling for some changes, will the availability of Jasprit Bumrah in the squad make significant changes in India’s Playing XI in Dharamshala? Aakash Chopra answers,

"Is there any scope for change in the Indian team? I feel one of them is a straight swap. Akash Deep will go out and Jasprit Bumrah will come in because Bumrah is available in this match and wasn't in the previous one. Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj should be playing. Generally, when you talk about Dharamsala, people feel three fast bowlers should be played, but I feel you won't play three.”

Aakash Chopra was headstrong with playing three spinners Jadeja, Kuldeep and Ashwin, who will be playing his 100th Test. Chopra predicted one possible change in the Indian batting lineup, with Devdutt Padikkal making his debut while replacing Rajat Patidar. The MP batter has not scored enough runs since making his Test debut which has put his position in doubt.

However, Rohit Sharma might give another opportunity to the young player in the final Test. Aakash Chopra said,

"You will still go with three spinners and will not toy with anyone as a fourth spinner. You are not going to think about playing a fourth spinner. So the same three spinners who played earlier - Ashwin, Jadeja and Kuldeep, and along with them Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah is what I am thinking. There is scope for only one change in batting, where Devdutt Padikkal can come in place of Rajat Patidar, but I am not sure.”

India has already sealed the series with a victory at Ranchi and would be looking to end on a high at Dharamsala.