Manjrekar Backs Kuldeep’s Return for Final Test in Bumrah’s Absence

New Delhi: Former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar believes India's main goal should be to get 20 wickets, and for that to happen in Jasprit Bumrah's absence, Kuldeep Yadav has to return in the XI for the final Test against England at The Oval, scheduled to begin on Thursday.

"India is at this stage of levelling the series despite the poor tactics and poor team selection, so that is my worry. It is a very simple philosophy India should have; they need a bowling attack that gets them 20 wickets. If Bumrah doesn't play, then one of your main wicket-takers is out," Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo Match Day.

"It is very obvious that Kuldeep Yadav has to come in. 20 wickets has to be the main goal because the batting seems okay. India can go without a pure batter because of the kind of Jadeja and Sundar form. Shardul Thakur goes and Kuldeep comes back in," he concluded.

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Tuesday addressed the possibility of Kuldeep featuring at the decisive game at The Oval. He declared that his inclusion solely depends on head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill.

"Our captain and Head coach will sit down, discuss and decide. So, that hasn't been decided today. And even if it's decided, it's not my place to declare that. But it will be decided tomorrow," Kotak told the media.

India's squad for fifth Test: Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh, N Jagadeesan (WK). (ANI)

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