Sanjay Bangar backs India’s key changes for ENG vs IND 2025 5th Test

Former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar has backed India’s changes for the fifth Test match against England at the Kennington Oval, London. The visitors made four changes to their playing XI with Dhruv Jurel, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and Karun Nair coming into the side.

India decided to play a specialist batter in Karun Nair in place of Shardul Thakur and the move paid dividends as the right-hander scored his maiden fifty of the series.

Nair remained unbeaten on 52 on a tricky wicket and played with the right technique on a green deck. 

Bangar said Prasidh Krishna can get extra bounce on this surface because of his high-arm action and height, whereas Akash Deep is expected to bowl a probing line and length.

Sanjay Bangar said on ESPN Cricinfo, “I think those were the right picks because Akash Deep has been quite effective, not only in England but also in the Test matches he played in Australia. At the Oval, you would want a Prasidh Krishna to play because of his extra bounce. A very important match for Prasidh Krishna because he was somebody who was not picked in the last match and Anshul Kamboj was preferred over him when he was fit and available.”

Bangar noted that Rishabh Pant’s unavailability would have pushed the team management to play with an extra batter.

“I think it is a combination of many factors, not one or two. So what am I looking at? 1. The unavailability of Rishabh Pant, who has scored a lot of runs in the series. He wasn’t available. Secondly, maybe the Indian team would have thought of what the pace bowling all-rounder was actually giving them, and if he is not giving them what they are expecting, then I think they also see an opportunity at The Oval to bowl a few more overs of spin and not have that option of the sixth bowler affect the decision-making process.

The former Indian batting coach reckons Kuldeep Yadav wouldn’t have been considered for selection because of the green deck.

“The thing about the green tinge at The Oval would have meant that any thoughts of playing Kuldeep would have gone away with that. I see the combination of all those three factors which have gone into the thinking of what combination India are playing,” Bangar said.

India ended the opening day’s play at 204-6.