Former Indian cricketer and batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes that Team India should implement two changes in their team for the fifth Test in Dharamshala. As per the conditions offered, Bangar stated that Rohit Sharma’s team should come in with an extra seamer by dropping a team spinner. He also backed left-handed batsman Devdutt Padikkal to earn his Test debut.

Sanjay Bangar backs Devdutt Padikkal to debut, Kuldeep Yadav out in place of Jasprit Bumrah

Sanjay Bangar is of the opinion that Kuldeep Yadav, the only Indian player in the team, should make way for Jasprit Bumrah in the starting XI. Bangar made this claim keeping in mind the cool and windy climate in Himachal Pradesh, which could favor the pacers more than the Turners.

So far, the spinners have had more say in the series and it is evident in the list of top 5 wicket takers. Jasprit Bumrah appears as the only pacer to appear in the top 5 as he is level on 17 wickets with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. England off-spinner Tom Hartley leads the table with 20 wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav and Shoaib Bashir are joint fifth.

But with the contrasting conditions in Dharamshala, Bangar feels Kuldeep should stay on the sidelines. He also believes that the team management could debut Karnataka batsman Devdutt Padikkal instead of Rajat Patidar.

“India’s last Test match will be in Dharamsala. It will be a little cold and there will be a little movement of the seams due to the altitude of the terrain. Therefore, there will be a change based on conditions. “Jasprit Bumrah may return in place of Kuldeep Yadav.” – said Sanjay Bangar via Star Sports.

“So India will play three fast bowlers, Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep. Also, since Rajat has not scored runs in three Test matches, you can see a new debutant there. The Indian team can give Devdutt Padikkal a chance. So, in my opinion, two changes.” – Bangar added.

While the England team doesn’t have much at stake except pride, the hosts hope to close the series with a score of 4-1. Another victory will further boost India’s position in the 2023-25 ​​World Test Championship cycle. They are already leading the way with 64.58% and 62 points after 5 wins, 2 losses and a draw.

With their next Test series taking place after the T20 World Cup in June, India should score important points in Dharamshala.

Bangar praises Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep

Even if Jasprit Bumrah is the second highest wicket-taker in the series, no one can forget his spells in the second and third Tests. He scored figures of 9/91 in Vizag and 6/69 in the 3rd Test at Rajkot. He returned with so many wickets on a spinning track on both occasions and for that, Sanjay Bangar feels Bumrah should get a lot of credit.

Bangar also praised Akash Deep who made his debut in the fourth Test in Ranchi.

“When Test cricket is held in India and foreign players, especially England, South Africa and Australia, come to play, the discussions revolve around the type of wicket. When the pitches are slightly spin-friendly, spinners are expected to take more wickets. However, the standout performance or notable factor for India was the bowling of the fast bowlers. “I remember Jasprit Bumrah’s spell in the second Test match or Akash Deep’s spell in the fourth Test match.” – Bangar concluded.