Despite the absence of Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin in the recently concluded fourth Test against England at Kennington Oval in London, Team India managed to script a memorable performance, defeating the hosts by 157 runs in the contest to lead the five-ma🀅tch series 2-1.
Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur, who replaced Shami and Ishant, proved theiღr mettle and performed outstandingly well to impress one and🍎 all, justifying their presence in the XI. While Umesh picked up three wickets in each innings, Shardul bagged three scalps in the match and smashed crucial half-centuries in both essays.
Now the question arises as to who will get a place in the fifth and final Test, scheduled to begin on Friday, September 10, at Old Trafford in Manchester. Well, former Indian captain, Sunil Gavaskar has the answer.🌃 The cricketer-turned-commentator has shared some changes the Inཧdian team might make for the Manchester Test.
Gavaskar was of the opinion that Shami is a sure shot selection for the upcoming Test, and he might come in place of Mohammad Siraj as, except him, everyo💧ne else performed up🌞 to the desired expectation in the previous game.
“Shami walks into the team. There’s no question about it. The only question is… whether Shami comes in place of Siraj – because he was just off colour in this particular game – so that’s the only area where I see the opportunity to take a chance. But he has to come in; there’s no question about it,” Gavaskar had said on Sony Sports Network after the end of the 4th Test.
The 72-year-old further reckoned that India might have given their ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah a break had if India already won the series.
“I think, in my view, you’re still playing for India, and the series is yet to be won. If you are 2-0 up, then rest Bumrah, but we still haven’t won the series, so Bumrah has to play,” Gavaskar added.
