'India can go without a pure batter because...': Former India cricketer wants this veteran in Shubman Gill-led side's playing XI for fifth Test

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar reckons that the Shubman Gill-led side's main goal should be picking 20 wickets and for that to happen in pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah's absence, Kuldeep Yadav should return to the playing XI for the final Test against England, which will take place at The Oval in London.

Kuldeep, who was included in India's squad for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 he failed to make room in the playing XI in the last four Tests. Jasprit Bumrah has already played his quota of three Tests, and his availability for the final fixture remains a point for speculation.

As India trailing 1-2 in the series, Manjrekar reckons that, as visitors had a brilliant batting show in the fourth Test, it is time for India to sacrifice one from the unit and bring in Kuldeep to bolster its bowling option in the must-win contest in London. According to him, the move would be a no-brainer, and his inclusion can come at the cost of Shardul Thakur.

ALSO READ: 'Don't think it should happen, but...': Former India captain's massive take on India's participation against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025

"India is at this stage of levelling the series despite the poor tactics and poor team selection, so that is my worry. It is a very simple philosophy India should have; they need a bowling attack that gets them 20 wickets. If Bumrah doesn't play, then one of your main wicket-takers is out," Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo Match Day.

"It is very obvious that Kuldeep Yadav has to come in. 20 wickets has to be the main goal because the batting seems okay. India can go without a pure batter because of the kind of Jadeja and Sundar form. Shardul Thakur goes and Kuldeep comes back in," he concluded.

ALSO READ: Not only bowling, you'll always see him batting, fielding...': Sitanshu Kotak breaks silence on Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion in India's playing XI for 5th Test

The fifth Test match will take place from July 31 to August 4 and before the final Test, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addressed the possibility of Kuldeep featuring in the last Test. He said that his inclusion solely depends on head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill.

"Our captain and Head coach will sit down, discuss and decide. So, that hasn't been decided today. And even if it's decided, it's not my place to declare that. But it will be decided tomorrow," Kotak told the media.

India's squad for fifth Test: Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh, N Jagadeesan (WK).