'Those were the right picks' - Former India coach backs key selections for ENG vs IND 2025 5th Test

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has backed the team management’s selection decisions for the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England at The Oval. The 52-year-old endorsed the inclusion of Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna in the playing XI, calling them the “right picks” for the conditions. With Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, and Anshul Kamboj left out, and Rishabh Pant unavailable due to injury, Bangar believed the team had made thoughtful and tactical choices.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Bangar said, “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.” Akash Deep had missed the fourth Test at Old Trafford due to injury, while Krishna, who played the first two Tests, was replaced by Bumrah at Lord's.

India made four changes to the XI for the series decider. Bangar felt that the combination of factors—Pant's absence, the underperformance of the pace-bowling all-rounder, and the green pitch at The Oval—led to the team’s final selection. He noted these elements likely influenced the exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav and the preference for a more seam-friendly setup.

Multiple Factors Influenced India’s Final XI

“I think it is a combination of many factors, not one or two,” Bangar said. “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.”

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He added, “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 that have gone into the thinking of what combination India is playing.” Throughout the series, India has consistently opted for batting depth over a pure five-bowler approach, with Washington Sundar preferred over Kuldeep Yadav as the second spinner.