Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel picked India’s X-factor player and predicted the winner of the fifth Test between England and India as well. The fifth Test will begin on Thursday, July 31, at The Oval. England are currently 2-1 up in the five-match Test series as well. And, Parthiv Patel picked one among the two all-rounders to be the X-factor for India as well.

“I think the player to watch out for is Shubman Gill because of the way he is performing and especially in the fourth Test, how he applied himself. I think either of Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja will be the X-factor. There is that drift and bounce at The Oval, if a spinner does well you can aim for a win. My prediction for the match is India will make it 2-2,” he said on Star Sports.

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“Unfortunately, Jasprit Bumrah’s body, we have to see how is recovery happens or does not happen. There are many questions. But if the situation is like this, I would definitely want him to play. Hopefully, the support staff works hard on him and makes him fit,” he further added.

However, there has been discussion and debate since the beginning of the series regarding the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav. He is yet to play a match as well. With an uncertainty over the availability of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, Parthiv Patel believes India needs an attacking option in the form of Kuldeep Yadav as well.

“I think the bowling can be better. I am also telling this from the second Test, given the conditions here, India have to somehow find that way of bringing Kuldeep Yadav in. Your batting is in form. If you have to win you need 20 wickets. With questions on Bumrah’s availability, you need an attacking spinner. Washington and Jadeja can contain but you need an attacking spinner. You have that wrist-spinner. They should think of Kuldeep in place of Shardul,” he added.

“You will find a batting-friendly pitch at The Oval. You can expect more bounce and can see more runs being scored. I don’t think India will look at KL as a keeper and do anything different there. I think Dhruv Jurel will get an opportunity. It remains to be seen which position he plays at. But he will definitely play,” Parthiv Patel concluded.