The uncertainty over Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval remains unresolved, with India captain Shubman Gill staying tight-lipped about the pace spearhead’s inclusion. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Gill maintained that a decision would be taken on match day.

“We will take a decision on Bumrah tomorrow. The wicket looks very green, so let’s see how it behaves,” he said, hinting that the team management is keeping all options open.

The Oval surface has historically offered assistance to pacers, and with England fielding four frontline seamers, the pitch seems tailored for fast bowling. That has made the selection puzzle more interesting for India. While there were murmurs earlier suggesting that Bumrah might be rested due to workload management, the green-tinged pitch could prompt a rethink.

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Shubman Gill also dropped a significant hint about a potential debut for Arshdeep Singh. “We’ve asked Arshdeep to stay ready. A final call on the XI will be made after assessing the conditions. England hasn’t gone with a frontline spinner, but we have Jadeja and Washington who’ve been doing the job well,” he noted. If Bumrah is indeed rested, Arshdeep or the returning Akash Deep—who has reportedly recovered from a hamstring strain—could slot in.

India is navigating their own injury concerns just like England. Anshul Kamboj, who debuted in Manchester, may make way for a more seasoned option. The team appears keen to balance fitness concerns with tactical flexibility.

Shubman Gill also addressed England’s decision to omit their specialist spinner Liam Dawson. “They have Jacob Bethell and other part-timers. For us, Jadeja and Washington have done exceptionally well in both departments,” he said, adding that veteran spinner R Ashwin is on standby and has been told to stay prepared.

The Indian captain was also clear about the team’s preference for a batting all-rounder at number eight. “Washington brings balance. He offers control with the ball and solidity with the bat. His presence has definitely strengthened our lower-middle order, an area we identified for improvement earlier,” Gill remarked.

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As both teams gear up for a high-stakes finale, India’s final XI will likely reflect a mix of strategic adaptation and workload management, especially with Bumrah’s importance in mind. The playing XI will be confirmed after a final pitch inspection and weather consideration later in the evening, making the build-up to The Oval Test even more intriguing.