As the fifth and final Test of a gripping India vs England series approaches, both teams are staring at a selection conundrum rooted deeply in one factor: exhaustion. With both bowling units having endured the brunt of the workload over the course of the series, managing fitness, form, and team balance becomes paramount in what is now a must-win contest for India and a series-defining encounter for England.
However, India heads into the Test with a slight advantage. They will be hoping to capitalize on the physical state of their bowlers. One of the overlooked yet crucial dynamics of the previous Test was how India’s bowlers got an unexpected break. As India fought valiantly with the bat in the last match to salvage a draw, their bowling unit remained rested, with their feet up in the dressing room. This respite, even if just for a day and a half, could prove significant in a tight turnaround between the two Tests. England, on the other hand, had their bowlers toiling on the field, which could influence their ability to maintain intensity across five days of play in the final match.
The biggest focal point for India, however, is the fitness of Jasprit Bumrah. Without question, if Bumrah is fully fit, he plays. But the sentiment is clear and unwavering: if he’s not entirely fit, India should resist the temptation to play him solely based on his stature or the stakes of the match. Bumrah is not just India’s spearhead; he is a long-term asset whose well-being must not be risked for short-term gain. Even with the Test on the line, pushing an unfit Bumrah into the XI would be a decision steeped in risk. The same logic applies to Mohammed Siraj, who has been outstanding throughout the series. He too may be under assessment as India weighs the physical toll the series has taken on its frontline quicks.
In this scenario, Akash Deep appears poised to return to the side. Reports suggest he is fit again, and given his energy and control, he would be a valuable addition. Prasidh Krishna remains another pace option. Ultimately, it seems likely India will field three seamers out of Bumrah, Siraj, Akash Deep, and Krishna—depending on who passes the fitness tests ahead of the match.
While the seam bowling unit poses its own questions, the greater dilemma may lie in balancing India’s spin and batting departments. Kuldeep Yadav must play. His addition would bolster India’s ability to take wickets on a surface that might offer only minimal deterioration. However, integrating him into the XI requires a reconfiguration of the team balance. If India are to play three seamers, Kuldeep, and Jadeja, then Washington Sundar
becomes a critical piece. The suggestion is that Sundar could bat at No. 5, allowing India to field their strongest bowling combination. This is unorthodox by India’s usual standards, especially given their preference for deep batting lineups, but the situation demands a win at-all-costs mentality. Yet, the Indian management may see this differently. With Rishabh Pant unavailable, Dhruv Jurel is expected to take the gloves and slot in at No. 6.
Assuming India stick to their regular top order of Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill at No. 4, Washington at No. 5 followed by Jurel at 6 would certainly test the batting depth. However, this compromise might be essential. India’s best chance to win lies in being able to bowl England out twice. A slightly brittle batting lineup may be the price to pay for that outcome. India may view Shardul Thakur as a convenient option and a means to balance the side, but his lack of impact with the ball and limited number of overs remain concerning.
On the other side of the contest, England faces nearly identical challenges. Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse, cornerstones of the English bowling attack, appeared visibly fatigued by the end of the last match. The question now is whether they can recover in time and whether it’s wise to rely on them once again. Jofra Archer, returning to Test cricket after a long layoff, is another puzzle. It might not be ideal to push him into back-to-back Tests, but the stakes may compel England to take that risk. If he’s anywhere close to match-fit, his inclusion could be a game-changer.
To manage these concerns, England could bring in Gus Atkinson, who would be playing on his home ground. His inclusion would provide a fresher option and inject some pace and energy into the lineup. Ben Stokes, as always, will play, but his own fitness is questionable. It remains to be seen how many overs he can deliver in a match that could demand long spells from all-rounders. Josh Tongue could return to the XI, and Jamie Overton, who’s also on his home patch and made a strong impression in his debut, may be given another opportunity. This set-up would offer some flexibility and help ease the workload on Stokes.
The risk, however, is a lack of experience. England might field a fresher, but significantly greener, bowling lineup, which could prove risky in a high-pressure contest. Still, this trade-off might be necessary to preserve the core bowlers’ long-term fitness while giving the team a competitive edge.
The pitch at The Oval is expected to have a bit more grass than previous surfaces, particularly offering assistance on Day 1. Beyond that, however, it is a relatively flat pitch that tends not to break up much over five days. Batters from both teams can expect favorable conditions for most of the match, aside from a potentially tricky first morning.
This sets the stage for a final Test that demands strategic precision from both camps. Selection decisions will need to balance competitiveness with player welfare. For India, the path to leveling the series lies in bowling England out twice, even if it comes at the cost of batting depth. For England, freshness versus experience is the key debate, particularly in the bowling department. With nothing but the series on the line, every choice matters, making this final Test as much a battle of attrition and planning as it is of skill and execution.
