Throughout the history of the Asia Cup, the bowlers have time and again managed to hog the limelight. In an era where the batters seem to be getting way too much in their favor, a handful of bowlers still manage to valiantly stun the batting sides with their exceptional bowling wizardry. Hardly anyone can forget Ajantha Mendis' destructive six-wicket haul in the 2008 Asia Cup final, which brought India to its knees. However, in recent times, it was Mohammed Siraj who produced a ground-breaking bowling performance of 6-21 to bowl out Sri Lanka cheaply for 50 in the 2023 Asia Cup final. 

While Mendis and Siraj have succeeded in leaving their lasting legacy in the Asia Cup, who are the other bowlers who still managed to find a way to thrive in this batter-dominated era of the game? And have they been successful enough to etch their names in the record books? In this article, we bring you the top five bowlers to have recorded the best-ever bowling figures in the history of the Asia Cup. 

See also: Five batters with most runs in Asia Cup history (ODI & T20I combined)

Ajantha Mendis (6-13 vs India in Asia Cup, 2008)

Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis holds the record for producing the best bowling figures in the history of the Asia Cup. His magical figures of 6-13 spun a vicious web around the Indian batters in the 2008 Asia Cup final. Leading into the Asia Cup final, India emerged as the strong favorites. At a time when a very few experts anticipated an unlikely victory for Sri Lanka, Mendis did the unthinkable. Sehwag got India off to a rapid start. Sri Lanka needed something out of the ordinary to stem the flow of runs. But as soon as the ball was tossed to Mendis, things immediately took a turn for the worse for India. Mendis deceived the in-form Indian batters with his uncanny variations in pace and flight. In addition, the mystery spinner wisely altered his line and length to further add to India's woes. Right after dismissing Sehwag in his first over, Mendis was on a roll. Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, and RP Singh were among the other five victims he accounted for. In the end, Sri Lanka achieved an incredible victory over India. On the back of Mendis's destructive 6-13, Sri Lanka went on to thrash India by an unbelievable margin of 100 runs.

Mohammed Siraj (6-21 vs Sri Lanka in Asia Cup, 2023)

In the 2023 Asia Cup Final, all hell broke loose on Sri Lanka as Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj ran riot with the ball. The Lankan side barely got a chance to stage a fightback as Siraj went on to script his career-best ODI figures of 6-21 to floor Sri Lanka cheaply for 50. In overcast conditions, Siraj utilized the new ball to good effect, leading to the undoing of six frontline Sri Lankan batters. What also played to his advantage was the brisk pace he was able to generate to trouble the Lankan batters. Contrary to what people had expected earlier, the Asia Cup final ended in a very one-sided affair, thanks to Siraj's hostile spell of bowling. He got the ball rolling by having Nissanka fend at an away swinging delivery. A couple of balls later, Samarawickrama followed suit after getting struck in front of the stumps. Siraj's onslaught continued further as Asalanka and Dhananjay fell inside the very same over. By the end of the fourth over, Sri Lanka were brought down on their knees, losing half the side for just 12 runs on the board. In his 7-over spell, Siraj only conceded two boundaries and accounted for six dismissals while giving away just 21 runs. This was also the fourth-best bowling performance recorded by an Indian bowler in the ODI format. 

Aaqib Javed (5-19 vs India in Asia Cup, 1995)

Pakistan pacer Aaqib Javed unleashed an unprecedented wave of terror during the third match of the 1995 Pepsi Asia Cup against India. After posting a competitive target on the board, Javed provided the Men in Green an ideal start. The two India openers, Manoj Prabhakar and the dangerous Sachin Tendulkar, were dismissed cheaply inside the first three overs of the run chase. By then, India's momentum was severely disrupted. Despite a valiant stand between Navjot Siddhu and Mohammed Azharuddin, Javed was able to dismiss the latter and throw the game wide open for Pakistan again. Vinod Kambli and Javagal Srinath were his next two victims as India were dismissed for 169, leaving them well short of their required target of 267. Javed starred with the ball with exemplary figures of 5-19 and was awarded for his heroic deed with a POTM award. 

Arshad Ayub (5-21 vs Pakistan in Asia Cup, 1988)

In an epic low-scoring thriller, Arshad Ayub helped India prevail in what turned out to be a tense contest with Pakistan. The 3rd fixture of the Wills Asia Cup 1988 was impacted by weather, resulting in a shortened 45-over game per side. Ayub bowled a marathon nine overs, picking up five wickets while conceding only 21 runs. He joined hands with Maninder Singh and bowled effectively in tandem to obliterate Pakistan's top order. As a result, the Pakistan innings never got off the ground and were floored for a meager 142. At a time when Pakistan were crusing along nicely at 62-0, Ayub, out of nowhere, produced a magical spell to trigger a catastrophic batting collapse. He was miserly with the ball and did not concede a single extra in his nine-over spell. Although Abdul Qadir kept Pakistan in the game, India eventually went on to get over the line by four wickets. This was Ayub's first and only five-wicket haul in his ODI career. Sadly, a couple of years later, his international career came to a premature end. Ayub's 5-21 will go down as one of the most underrated spells in the history of the Asia Cup. 

Kuldeep Yadav (5-25 vs Pakistan in Asia Cup, 2023)

During the ninth fixture of the Asia Cup 2023, Kuldeep Yadav etched his name in the record books by becoming the fifth Indian bowler to claim an ODI five-wicket haul against Pakistan. By doing so, he joined the elite list featuring legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Venkatesh Prasad, and Arshad Ayub. In this fixture, Pakistan were utterly humiliated by the Men in Blue, first with the ball and later with the bat. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli added to Pakistan's misery by mounting a colossal score of 356-2. Just when it seemed like the worst had passed, another humiliation was already looming for Pakistan in the second innings. Kuldeep ran through the fragile batting lineup like a hot knife through butter. In his eight-over spell, Kuldeep returned figures of 5-25 and never allowed Pakistan to gain any foothold in this match. His five primary scalps included dismissals of Fakhar Zaman, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, and Faheem Ashraf. As a consequence, Pakistan went down without a fight and were bowled out for just 128, thus handing India their biggest ODI victory against the Men in Green. 

The Asia Cup 2025 is a unique challenge for Team India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, and a familiar one at the same time. Following their victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, the Men in Blue are eager for their next significant trophy. With mounting tension and growing expectations, this tournament provides India a further opportunity to hone their array of strategies while fielding a few new combinations. In the UAE, with only three weeks to compete, there must be enough balance in the squad, batters and bowlers alike, to remain competitive.

The two venues, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium (Abu Dhabi) and Dubai International Stadium have pushed towards batters and pacers in the last 12 months.  In 29 T20 games across three separate competitions, just 55% of wickets fell and the majority of matches resulted in high-scoring slug-fests. All the indicators suggest that bowlers will need to go hard to earn favorable outcomes and India's selection of the bowling attack will be critical. The balance between spin and pace will be critical to securing results in these run-favoured playing conditions.

See Also: India's squad selection for Asia Cup 2025 delayed in Mumbai for this reason

With T20 format tournament, this is the best chance for India to play with five bowler balanced attack. It would be best to have at least two frontline spinners in order to ensure control of the middle overs, and two all-rounders to deepen the batting order while having at least three specialist pacers in the XI allows them to adjust to different opponents in the tournament. There are a lot of ways that India could think and strategize this to ensure that the world champs are well prepared for the Asia Cup 2025 T20 tournament, which could have seven matches in three weeks!

Arshdeep Singh 

As a left-arm pacer, he has a rare ability to swing the new ball both ways, meaning he is especially dangerous against left-handers. His skills would take him into the death overs as well, and he is relentless in using a range of clever variations to deceive batters. This all-round skill gives him the ability to be effective at all stages of the T20 innings - a valuable asset to any team. 

He goes into the Asia Cup 2025 after an impressive IPL 2025 season with Punjab Kings which he distinguished himself as one of the most consistent performers. In his 17 matches, he took 21 wickets at an excellent economy of 8. He showed the ability to combine control and taking wickets. Interestingly, of the 240 wickets taken by bowlers at the Abu Dhabi and Dubai venues recently, 76 were taken by left-arm seamers. That should only help his confidence for the tournament.

Prasidh Krishna

Opting for Harshit Rana over a vastly improved T20 bowler like Prasidh Krishna could prove to be a questionable decision by the Indian team management. Krishna’s Purple Cap triumph in IPL 2025, where he picked up 25 wickets, was not a fluke. Instead, it showcased the transformation in his T20 game, where he displayed control and maturity that had previously been missing. His performances underline consistency rather than being a one-off success.

The Karnataka pacer has been remarkably disciplined with his lengths, frequently targeting the full and good-length areas across 15 matches this season. At the same time, he has cleverly used the short ball as a reliable stock option to keep batters guessing. What makes him even more effective is his sharp use of pace variations, a skill he has mastered over the past four months. This evolution has made Krishna one of the most dependable fast bowlers in India’s T20 setup.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya is a stands-alone player in the Indian national team when talking about match situations. His brilliance yet again shone in IPL 2025 in important moments, both bat and ball. Pandya took 14 wickets in 15 matches at 24 run average, meaning he was able to take wickets in the most important moments for his team. His dynamic game is still revolving around him being one of the best all-rounders in T20 cricket, and he continues game after game to be the most trusted.

As a bowler he understands high pressure match situations, and welcomes that responsibility of bowling in the most critical over of the match. Even when four boundaries on the trot is scored, he hurdle won't be shaken and control his mind and temperament, quickly resetting his game plan. This fearless and composed demeanor allows him to remain 'locked in' as much as he possibly can in the match scenario, and expects matters like the moment are good will, makes him an unstinting asset in India's plans ahead of important tournaments.

Varun Chakravarthy

Since his return to international cricket after a near four-year layoff, Varun's comeback has been nothing short of a fairytale, not only in terms of performance level, but also improvement in his bowling. Varun made an immediate impression by taking 14 wickets from five matches against England, followed by a further nine wickets at the Dubai International Stadium during Champions Trophy 2025. This turnaround came after having practiced his variety, something that he did not have the necessary accuracy for during the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. Varun is very evidently a bowler grown.

Despite a mixed IPL 2025 season with the Kolkata Knight Riders, Varun was still able to be impactful, claiming 17 wickets in 13 matches at an economy rate of 7.6, demonstrating consistency throughout. Varun's ability to deliver for both franchise and country shows how much he has come along as a bowler, and he clearly looks to be, once again, a vital cog in India's bowling line-up in limited overs cricket.

Axar Patel

India's T20I vice-captain may not have the most dazzling numbers on paper but has an incredible knack of coming to the fore at important times which makes him indispensable. His ability to break partnerships and create breakthroughs, when the team needs them most, has invariably turned games in India's favor. He remains one of the most dependable options in that format owing to his knowledge and ability to remain composed under pressure. 

Asia Cup 2025 could be the perfect tournament for Axar Patel to add to his inauspicious record in that format. The pitches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been particularly fruitful for left-arm spinners; in the last 29 games, there were 48 wickets taken by left-arm spinners- 60% of all spin dismissals-. However, the vast majority of these dismissals were a result of finger spinners who predominantly rely on drift rather than turn, which is Axar's biggest strength. The tournament opens up an ideal opportunity for him to enhance his record further.

Kuldeep Yadav

The dependable left-arm wrist-spinner has been an integral cog in India's bowling unit for many years, whilst continuing to provide valuable services in the T20 arena. His power of consistency and run management has proved an incredibly dependable option for the team in match defining moments, and even though conditions change, he has transitioned his game well  and proved effective in all phases.

While IPL 2025 was considered a quiet season in a relative sense by his high standards, he has still managed to take 15 wickets in 14 matches. Most importantly, his economy rate of 7.07 remained impressive given that he is able to restrict batters whilst still providing necessary breakthroughs; therefore, if the ability to both control and take wickets is the desired skill, he is a huge asset leading into the Asia Cup 2025.

Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur has recently addressed the absence of star spinner Kuldeep Yadav and opener Abhimanyu Easwaran in the recently terminated Test series between England and India. Thakur, who participated in two of the five matches, said he understands those struggles ,as he too has endured bitter disappointments in similar situations, before understanding that players must sift through these situations with tenacity. Thakur also explained that team selection has a lot to do with conditions and combinations that prevent every quality player from playing all the time, especially in a squad full of quality players. 

The 33-year-old further backed Gautam Gambhir and team management’s decisions, highlighting that the selectors and coaches always prioritize fielding the best XI available from the squad. He noted that while many former players, commentators, and experts advocated for Kuldeep’s inclusion before the series began, the left-arm spinner ultimately returned from the long England tour without playing a single Test. Thakur’s remarks underline the competitive nature of the Indian setup, where even highly skilled players struggle for regular chances.

See Also: Asia Cup 2025: Why Shubman Gill should be selected in the squad?

“Unfortunately or fortunately, the competition is so high in India. There are so many players, and only 11 of them play at the end of the day. So we need to understand that probably this is the best 11 that management is looking at and you’ll have to repeatedly tell your mind this was not my game, that’s why I was not selected. Probably according to the pitch conditions or whatever atmospheric conditions, this is the best 11 that we could field for the day and I’m just not part of it,” the all-rounder said speakingh to RevSports.

Shardul Thakur disappointing performance in ENG vs IND 2025 Test series

Shardul Thakur featured in the series opener at Leeds but delivered an underwhelming performance, managing only five runs and picking up two wickets at an expensive economy of 5.56. Despite this, he returned to India’s XI in Manchester, largely because of Washington Sundar’s strong batting form and the absence of key pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep Singh in the fourth Test. The team management looked to Thakur for support in the all-rounder’s role, but the expectations placed on him were immense given the circumstances.

Unfortunately, Shardul failed to make a significant impact in his comeback game. While he did score a gritty 41 runs in the first innings, he went wicketless as England amassed a massive 669 in the penultimate clash of the series. In contrast, Washington Sundar proved far more effective, having already scored a crucial 52 in India’s big win at Edgbaston earlier in the series. Sundar finished with 284 runs, including a match-saving 101\* at Old Trafford, along with seven wickets across four Tests.

India’s Test team is currently navigating a significant phase of change. The departure of senior figures such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin has left notable gaps in the lineup. These retirements mark the end of an era for the side.

With these experienced players no longer in the mix, the team faces the challenge of reshaping its core. New and emerging talents are being given opportunities to step up, but filling the shoes of such legends is no easy task. Leadership, stability, and consistent performances will be key in the coming years.

This period represents both a challenge and an opportunity for Indian cricket. While the team must adapt to life without its long-time stalwarts, it also allows for the development of a fresh group of match-winners. The transition phase will test the squad’s depth and resilience in the longest format.

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Team India Needs to Fill Some Blanks:

The rise of promising talents like Washington Sundar and Yashasvi Jaiswal has given India a boost during this transition phase. Their readiness for the longest format has eased some pressure, but gaps still remain, particularly in the batting lineup and pace attack.

Given this situation, Gautam Gambhir and his support staff must focus on selecting the right players to nurture. Backing them consistently and providing enough opportunities will be crucial for these cricketers to prove themselves at the highest level. A steady run in the side will help build confidence, experience, and the stability India needs as it rebuilds for future Test challenges.

Team India Should Support Some Potential Players:

With India’s Test side in a rebuilding phase, certain players deserve consistent support to help them settle and perform. Providing them with time and opportunities will allow their talent to flourish and contribute to the team’s stability. Here are three such cricketers who should be backed strongly during this transition period.

• Prasidh Krishna

Prasidh Krishna has faced criticism for his Test performances, with an economy rate nearing five and a bowling average close to 35. These figures highlight the challenges he has encountered so far, but with the right backing and guidance, he still has the potential to improve and become a more effective contributor to India’s bowling attack.

Prasidh Krishna is still in the early stages of his Test career, with only six matches under his belt. At 29, he entered the international arena with limited first-class experience and has also battled multiple serious injuries. With time and consistent opportunities, he has the ability to develop into one of India’s finest fast bowlers.

He belongs to a rare group of Indian pacers who possess world-class potential. In the recent Test series against England, he recorded the highest average of induced false shots, even surpassing Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. His steady growth in different aspects of bowling makes it crucial for the team management to give him full support and the confidence to perform at the highest level.

• Sai Sudarshan

Sai Sudharsan, who made his Test debut in the recent series against England, scored one half-century in six innings. While he couldn’t fully capitalise on his opportunities, he displayed flashes of his talent and the promise he holds for the future. His performances hinted at the composure and skill needed at the highest level.

A stylish left-hander with a solid technique, Sai is comfortable facing both pace and spin. His experience of producing quality innings in testing domestic conditions makes him a strong contender for the challenging No. 3 spot in Test cricket. With patience and consistent backing, he has the potential to become a dependable pillar in India’s batting lineup.

• Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav boasts an impressive Test record, yet his place in the Indian XI has often been uncertain. The team’s focus on strengthening batting depth has limited his opportunities, preventing him from becoming a regular starter despite his proven skills and ability to make a difference with the ball in longer formats.

Kuldeep Yadav did not feature at all during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, even on surfaces that seemed ideal for his style. As a left-arm wrist-spinner, he has delivered consistently in Tests and has the skill set to win matches in diverse conditions. With proper support from the management, he could establish himself as a game-changer.

After Ashwin’s retirement, Kuldeep was tipped to take on a bigger role in the side. While Washington Sundar’s rise has slightly reduced that expectation, the 30-year-old still brings immense value. If given more responsibility and a consistent run, he has the potential to be one of India’s leading bowling options in the longest format.

Team India concluded the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy without using the experienced spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The team management kept faith in their batters and all-rounders. Instead of playing a full-time spinner, Shubman Gill and Co. opted to go with spin bowling all-rounders like Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. Both proved their mettle in crucial moments on more than one occasion.

Jadeja was restless throughout the series, and Sundar got his best batting outcome when team India needed him the most. When India was trailing by 1-2, a part of the cricket fraternities advised the management to include Yadav in the playing XI, but they relied on increasing batting depth.

After the series, when Kuladeep's Test career was under certainty, former India international Robin Uthappa made some interesting comments. According to the former keeper-batter, the spinner should now work on his batting skills, like Ravichandran Ashwin did before.

Read More: DPL 2025, Match 12: EDR vs ODW head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

Opinions from two former internationals

"Put Kuldeep in the 11 and make sure your batting is still in a state where none of the fans will go after the team management or the captain. With all due respect to Kuldeep's prowess with the ball, he's got limitations to his batting. That's going to take a lot of effort from his side," Uthappa opined on his YouTube channel. "Ashwin has got 5-6 Test hundreds. If he can do that at the lower middle batting order, say at number eight or nine, then he will certainly play more tests." In a separate discussion, another former India international, RP Singh, also explained his views on Kuldeep Yadav. He is hopeful that Kuldeep will get his due chance despite Washington Sundar's impressive all-round display. 

"Washington Sundar partially filled the spin bowler role. But I believe there were two or three pitches where Kuldeep could have been very effective. But these things happen in cricket; if not today, then there will be opportunities in the future," he said. 

India cricket team left out Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh from their playing XI for the IND vs ENG 5th Test in London. This means the tour ends for both players, as they did not play a single match despite being part of the squad.

India made four changes to their playing XI – Dhruv Jurel, Akash Deep, Karun Nair, and Prasidh Krishna replaced Rishabh Pant, Anshul Kamboj, Shardul Thakur, and Jasprit Bumrah. Batter Karun Nair, who was dropped for the Manchester Test last week, was brought back into the team. Jasprit Bumrah was rested due to workload concerns.

Gautam Gambhir, the Head Coach of the Indian cricket team, is facing criticism from fans and former players for his choices in the Playing XI for the important 5th Test against England at The Oval.

Despite having a good record in English conditions, Kuldeep Yadav was ignored. Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has done well in domestic cricket, was also not picked. That is why Gambhir is facing criticism.

Also Read -Why are Jasprit Bumrah not playing today in ENG vs IND 5th Test at The Oval?

Kuldeep, Arshdeep Finish England Series Without Playing a Match

Kuldeep Yadav last played a Test in October 2024 during the series against New Zealand, after which he got injured. He returned to the squad in June but missed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to that injury. Even after coming back, the Indian team management decided not to include him in the playing XI for any of the five Tests against England. Many experts had suggested that Kuldeep should play, but captain Shubman Gill chose to go ahead with Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja as the two spin options.

Arshdeep Singh was almost set to make his Test debut in Manchester, but he suffered a hand injury while training for the 4th Test. He had to get stitches and was ruled out of the game. Anshul Kamboj was named as his replacement. Arshdeep had received his first call-up to the Test team for this tour. Before the 5th Test, captain Gill had said that Arshdeep had been told to “stay ready,” but it seems the team was not ready to give him a debut with the series still open.

Kuldeep Yadav, Abhimanyu Easwaran & Arshdeep Singh didint play a single game in this England Test series. pic.twitter.com/gDXcIuBycG

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 31, 2025

Abhimanyu Easwaran Ignored Despite Strong Record

Another name that fans missed was Abhimanyu Easwaran. The Bengal batter had a great domestic season, with scores like 127*, 191, 116, 157*, 200*, and more. In his first-class career, he has scored 7841 runs in 103 matches at an average of 48.70, with 27 centuries and 31 fifties. Despite this, he was not selected for a single game. Instead, the team backed Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan ahead of him.

Because of these decisions, head coach Gautam Gambhir is facing backlash. Fans and former players have criticised his choices. Some netizens wrote, "Inki kismat mein hi nahi hai khelna" (It’s just not in their fate to play). Another fan wrote, “Sack Gautam Gambhir with immediate effect.” Someone else commented, “Annoying as a player to not play even one Test match after doing all the preparation. Maybe they’ll get a chance in the home series.”

India head into the final Test at The Oval facing a 2–1 series deficit after a thrilling draw at Old Trafford. It was a Test that demanded character, and the Indian team responded with exactly that. Centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar rescued India after being reduced to 0 for 2 in the second innings and trailing by 311 runs.

But amid the fightback, one reality stood out: India’s bowling unit looked completely drained. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, both having bowled tirelessly all series, now appear in serious need of rest. With the series still up for grabs, the fifth Test presents not just an opportunity to level the score but also to inject fresh energy and test deserving names on the fringes. Here are five players who have earned a spot in India’s playing XI for the all-important clash at The Oval:

1. Arshdeep Singh 

Arshdeep Singh is yet to play a Test for India, but with the current workload management concerns around Bumrah and Siraj, this could be the perfect time. The 25-year-old left-arm seamer has built up solid red-ball credentials in the domestic circuit, having picked up 48 wickets in 13 first-class matches at an average of 23.91. His five-for (5/35) against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy was a timely reminder of his readiness.

More importantly, Arshdeep’s natural angle and swing would add a crucial point of difference to India’s pace attack, which has been predominantly right-arm throughout the series. With overcast conditions likely at The Oval, he could exploit the early movement and trouble England’s aggressive top order.

2. Kuldeep Yadav 

Kuldeep Yadav has warmed the bench throughout the series, but if there was ever a time to unleash him, it’s now. His overall Test stats are outstanding: in just 10 matches, Kuldeep has taken 41 wickets at an average of 21.09, with best figures of 5/40. Despite not being a regular in recent years, his match-winning potential with the red ball is undeniable.

Given how the Old Trafford pitch began to turn on Day 5, The Oval is likely to offer even more assistance to spinners late in the game. Kuldeep could be the attacking spin option India needs to complement the control of Jadeja and Sundar. His inclusion would give India a proper three-pronged spin attack capable of running through England’s middle order.

ALSO SEE: Why is the Asia Cup needed for Pakistan Cricket to survive ?

3. Dhruv Jurel 

With Rishabh Pant ruled out of the fifth Test due to a fractured toe, Dhruv Jurel will walk into the XI as the wicketkeeper-batter. And there’s no better candidate. Jurel already impressed in the home series against England earlier in the year, scoring 153 runs in 2 Tests at a superb average of 76.50, with a highest score of 90. His glove work was assured, and he showed remarkable composure under pressure.

Even during the India A vs England Lions series, Jurel struck scores of 94, 53*, and 52, a streak that underlined his readiness for the longest format. He’s calm, technically compact, and has the temperament to bat with both the top and lower order, something India will desperately need in Pant’s absence.

4. Prasidh Krishna 

Prasidh Krishna is another player who has been in the Test setup for a while but is yet to make his debut. While Anshul Kamboj looked underwhelming on debut, Prasidh could bring a different threat with his high-arm action and steep bounce. His first-class numbers are solid: 49 wickets from 12 matches at an average of 19.18.

With India looking to rest both Bumrah and Siraj, there’s a strong chance the Oval Test could mark Prasidh’s long-awaited debut. The pitch at The Oval tends to offer bounce and carry, something that could suit his style perfectly. With Arshdeep moving it, Prasidh hitting the deck, and Akash Deep offering control, India could have a balanced pace trio for the showdown.

5. Abhimanyu Easwaran 

The only uncapped player on this list with extensive India A experience, Abhimanyu Easwaran, continues to remain on the selectors’ radar. The 29-year-old opener boasts a first-class average of 46.83 across 89 matches, with 20 hundreds and a highest score of 233. Despite being part of several Test squads, he’s yet to receive his debut cap.

India’s top order looked fragile at times in the series, especially after early losses in the fourth Test. If the team chooses to rest Rohit Sharma or drop an out-of-form Patidar, Easwaran could finally get his long-overdue opportunity. He’s a compact, no-fuss batter built for the rigours of Test cricket, and this might just be his moment.

India showed great character in salvaging a draw at Old Trafford, but the fifth Test is more than just about pride. It’s about rebalancing workloads, preparing the bench for future overseas tours, and giving richly deserving players their due. Whether it’s Kuldeep’s guile, Arshdeep’s swing, Prasidh’s bounce, Jurel’s resilience, or Easwaran’s consistency, each of these names has something valuable to offer. At The Oval, where results often go down to the wire, India’s fresh faces could be the ones to script the final act of this hard-fought series.

Team India can make a bold call for the 5th match of the 5-match Anderson-Tendulkar trophy. After a brave fight draw at Old Trafford, the 5th game has turned out like the final of the series. England, with a 2-1 lead, is the favorite to win the competition. But Team India has the strength to overcome any difficulties.

An uncertain Jasprit Bumrah has made the situation trickier for Shubman Gill and company. After playing three matches in the series, his workload management is now under the scanner. The pace of the bowling department also caused the management to worry. Neither Nitish Kumar Reddy nor Shardul Thakur, both pace bowling all-rounders, failed to impress the management.

 It is now believed that the think tank can make some changes in the playing combination. An update regarding Kuldeep Yadav, who has yet to play his first match in the tour, can be the trump card for the brigade in blue. Multiple media reports have claimed that Yadav is now under management's consideration. But the final call is yet to be made.

Read More: Jofra Archer set to miss ENG vs IND 5th Test? Stuart Broad suggests major shake-up

Can Kuldeep Yadav finally get a chance in the series?

The future of Kuldeep Yadav in the series can be heavily influenced by the condition of Jasprit Bumrah. If Bumrah is unable to play, then Gill will need someone who can take wickets for him. Kuldeep can be the right man. .

Traditionally, during the later part of a Test match at The Oval, spinners get more support from the pitch than the pacers. Extra bounce from the track can be very beneficial for the bowlers with an attacking mindset. Spinners have averaged 27.72 at The Oval in the last 10 years, across 10 matches. 

Should India consider playing Kuldeep Yadav for the remaining match of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar trophy? The burning question again sparked right after the Manchester Test, where the game ended in a draw.

To increase the batting depth, India's love for all-rounders remained unmatchable even at Old Trafford. They played Shardul Thakur in place of Nitish Kumar Reddy. But neither Thakur nor Reddy was at the top of their mark.

In the 4th match, Shardul's 41-run contribution with the bat in the first innings came as a crucial knock, but with that, he delivered again some underperformed overs. Without claiming a single wicket, the pace bowling all-rounder leaked 55 runs in his 11-over spell. The surface of Old Trafford offered a good amount of turns during the later part of the competition. But Captain Shubman Gill had only Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja in his arsenal. Jadeja got 4 wickets, and Sundar got 2. Washington's brace emerged shortly after his introduction in the match.

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Shoul India focus on bowling depth?

Former India internationals like Ravichandran Ashwin and Sanjay Manjrekar criticized Gill's captaincy for underutilizing the spinners. Jadeja and Washington, with their match-saving hundreds, proved their batting abilities in Manchester. Gill scored a century, and KL Rahul delivered a 90-run knock. India saved the 4th match without the service of Rishabh Pant. Sanjay reflected the limited bowling options in India's playing combination. Anshul Kamboj's Test debut was far away from the expectations.

So, the captain mostly had to rely on Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar—only 4 bowlers. As the lower batting order performed well under pressure and Thakur and Reddy's performance remained under the scanner, should India ask Yadav to play the 5th Test at The Oval? The question remains. 

Ravichandran Ashwin heavily criticized Indian team management for not selecting Kuldeep Yadav for the ongoing 4th Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy at Old Trafford, Manchester. The former international directly questioned India's game plan in a crucial match. Ashwin, from one of his YouTube videos, explained why India should consider Kuldeep Yadav, who is absolutely fit and fine and in form, in the match. According to him, the character of the game has changed a lot.

Some extra runs from the lower order could not contribute much like before, as the nature of those English pitches is now more flattened. So, there is only extra firepower in the bowling department, which could only help the team in tough situations. Ashwin found no clue why Team India is so obsessed with their batting depth. 

"If somebody would have told me that Kuldeep Yadav will not be playing any part in the first four tests, I would have been very, very surprised. Unfortunately, it is our obsession with batting and looking for those 20-30 extra runs. Gone are those days in England; that advantage of 20-30 runs is gone. If your No. 7 makes 30 runs and your No. 8 makes 30 runs, you have an extra 60 runs. Earlier, that 60 runs used to be very useful, because bowlers used to get help from the pitch," Ashwin said.

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Why Shardul instead of Kuldeep? 

R Ashwin, who retired in December last year, questioned the decision about the inclusion of Shardul Thakur over Yadav. The former spinner reflected that if Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar bowl effectively in those conditions, then a spinner like Kuldeep, who has an attacking mindset, could contribute something. 

"If you are only planning to give Shardul Thakur this many overs and expect 20-30 runs from him. I love Shardul Thakur; I like him a lot, but if this is the usage point, why can't you consider Kuldeep Yadav? It is just blowing my head away. I know it seems against the grain because there are three spinners, but it is not that way; Jadeja is a specialist batter for you now. Washington Sundar is also batting well. When your bowlers can bat so well, why are you not bringing an attacking bowler?" Ashwin questioned.