(Cricket news) India were leading 2-1 in the Test series against England last year but the 5th and final Test was postponed due to Covid crisis in the Indian camp. India now gear up for that final Test but Covid and injury issues are still not leaving them. Vice captain KL Rahul was ruled out of the match due to injury and then captain Rohit Sharma tested positive for Covid. Rahul Dravid in a press conference said that Rohit Sharma can still be available for the game but the chances of that happening are however unlikely. Mayank Agarwal was a late addition to the squad and is a candidate to open the batting.

India's possible playing XI-

Openers: Shubman Gill & Cheteshwar Pujara

Shubman Gill was originally selected as the third opener and his place in the side was almost certain once KL Rahul was ruled out. Despite Mayank Agarwal being in the squad, it would make perfect sense for Cheteshwar Pujara to open the batting. Pujara has experience of playing in England and he should be comfortable in the position. Pujara’s inclusion will allow India to play both Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer. Mayank Agarwal had really struggled to make runs and his exclusion from the side in the first place is an indication that he will not play. If Rohit Sharma does somehow recover in time then he will open with Gill while Pujara will most likely move to number 3. Pujara's recent county performances means that he is almost undroppable, at least from this match.

Middle order: Hanuma Vihari, Virat Kohli & Shreyas Iyer

Virat Kohli is going through a tough phase but Dravid has clearly stated that he will be backed. Kohli played well in the practice match which is a good indication. Vihari and Iyer should complete the middle order. Iyer has done well in India since his debut but is yet to play in overseas conditions so this will be a good Test for him. Vihari has previously said that he is most comfortable at number 3 and that is where he will play if Pujara opens. If Rohit Sharma is fit or India chooses to open with Agarwal then one of the two will have to sit out and it will most likely be Iyer.

Wicket keeper: Rishabh Pant

KS Bharat played exceptionally well in the practice match but Rishabh Pant wasn't too bad himself. Pant is undroppable from the Test side and will be for a long time. His contribution to the team will be very crucial. There is a high chance that he will play at number 5 to get a left and right hand combination unless Ravindra Jadeja is promoted. Pant was decent in the first 4 matches but he will like to show a better performance in this match.

All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja & Shardul Thakur

Ravindra Jadeja is also undroppable from the red ball team in any conditions. His ability with the bat and ball is very important for the combination that India plays. Leaving Ravichandran Ashwin out will be a very difficult decision but playing him over Jadeja will mean that India will lose some crucial runs. India has a world class fast bowling attack and they have the option of playing 4 fast bowlers which is very useful in English conditions. India did play both Ashwin and Jadeja in the WTC final which didn't work out well for them. Playing more than one spinner is always risky in English conditions even if that spinner is Ashwin who is arguably the best in the world. Shardul Thakur is the perfect 4 seamer as he has the knack  of picking up wickets at crucial times. His ability with the is also a great asset to the side which gives India much needed batting depth. 

Seamers: Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah & Mohammed Siraj

Bumrah and Shami are two of the best seamers in the world and their selection is a no brainer. Bumrah is also likely to captain the side in Rohit Sharma's absence. Mohammed Siraj's performance in the first 4 matches last year will definitely make him the designated 3rd seamer in the side. Umesh Yadav is the other option but Siraj is ahead of him in the pecking order. Prasidh Krishna who is on his first Test tour is the other option.

Bench: Mayank Agarwal, Umesh Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat

Also read: How catastrophic will Rohit Sharma's potential absence be for India?