Bangar Calls for Bumrah's Inclusion in India's Lineup for Crucial 5th Test

Former India player Sanjay Bangar has outlined his recommendations for India's playing XI for the upcoming fifth Test against England, which is set to be a series decider. Bangar has suggested three changes to the lineup, with the most significant being the inclusion of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah's availability for the match has been uncertain, as he was initially expected to play only three Tests in the series. However, Bangar believes Bumrah should be a part of the playing XI, citing his impressive performances in the previous matches. The former all-rounder noted that despite a minor niggle, Bumrah has shown the ability to bowl extended spells, indicating he is fit enough to feature in the crucial encounter.

Alongside Bumrah, Bangar has also advocated for the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in the bowling attack, potentially replacing Shardul Thakur. The only change Bangar has suggested in the top seven is the replacement of Rishabh Pant with Dhruv Jurel. Bangar believes India's batting lineup is already strong, with five of the top seven batters having scored centuries in the series, and thus does not see the need for an additional specialist batter.

The former India batting coach has also discussed the role of Ravindra Jadeja, suggesting that he can be considered a specialist batter, given his impressive performances with the bat in the series. Bangar believes Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Dhruv Jurel can all bat interchangeably in the middle order, providing India with a flexible and well-rounded lineup.