Irfan Pathan sheds light on India’s spin bowling combination for 5th BGT 2024-25 Test

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels India will play two spinners in the fifth Test against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series at the Sydney Cricket Ground after going 1-2 down at the MCG. The SCG track is historically known to assist the spinners but the former Indian all-rounder believes Australia will leave grass on the pitch.

Pathan believes if there is no grass, then India should think about playing three spinners. After Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement, Tanush Kotian was added to the team’s squad.

Meanwhile, according to reports, Prasidh Krishna is all set to replace injured Akash Deep, who has been ruled out with a back spasm.

Pathan also noted that Washington Sundar was underbowled in the fourth Test at the MCG.

“I think 2 spinners will play. The second spinner we saw in Melbourne was under bowled. Maybe in Sydney Australia will want to have more grass on the pitch because historically, it turns here. So maybe there is no place for a third spinner. Unless, there is no grass and then you can bring in the third spinner,” Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports.

“I feel two spinners and three fast bowlers should be enough.”

While Jadeja picked four wickets in the penultimate Test of the series, Sundar bagged a solitary wicket. Sundar, however, scored a crucial fifty in the first innings and added a vital alliance of 127 runs with Nitish Kumar Reddy, who scored a magnificent knock of 114 runs.

The fifth and final Test match between Australia and India will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 onwards.