India vs England 2025: 5th Test Squad Preview, Key Injuries & Predicted Playing XI

The fourth Test match between India and England concluded in a draw. However, the drama extended beyond the result. India compiled 358 runs in their first innings before being dismissed. Ben Stokes emerged as England's standout bowler, claiming five wickets. The top three English batsmen—Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope—each scored half-centuries. Joe Root and Stokes both hit centuries as England amassed a colossal total of 669 runs. India, after losing their first two wickets for a duck, saw KL Rahul (90) and Shubman Gill add 188 runs for the third wicket. Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja both scored centuries, helping India draw the game. 

How will the playing elevens for India and England look in the upcoming 5th Test? The English pace trio of Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, and Brydon Carse bowled 46, 49.1, and 38 overs respectively. Stokes bowled 24 overs in the first innings and just 11 in the second. He retired hurt during England's innings due to a hamstring issue and struggled with a shoulder niggle in the third. Despite these setbacks, Stokes remains optimistic about his participation in the final game. He stated, "Hopefully, it settles down and we'll be good as gold for the last game. I don't want to eat my words, but the likelihood that I won't play is very unlikely."

Liam Dawson, who made a comeback in the last game, is likely to retain his place. However, one among Woakes, Archer, and Carse might be rested to manage the workload. Woakes and Carse have played all four matches so far.

England has already named their squad for the fifth Test, adding Jamie Overton. Overton's last and only Test appearance was against New Zealand three years ago. Overton, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue are the three pacers in the squad. Overton played for Surrey in the County Championship last week, bowling 14 overs. Atkinson represented Surrey 2nd XI against Somerset 2nd XI last week, proving his match fitness by bowling 30 overs and taking three wickets. Tongue played the first two matches in the series, taking 11 wickets at an average of 33.63.

India is expected to make one change, bringing in Dhruv Jurel to replace Rishabh Pant. Other changes could occur in India's playing 11. The key question for India is whether Jasprit Bumrah will play. He bowled 33 overs in the match, taking two wickets at an economy of 3.40. Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir clarified that all Indian pacers are fully fit, but the decision on Bumrah is pending.

Shardul Thakur, who replaced the injured Nitish Kumar Reddy, had a mixed outing. He scored 44 runs in the first innings but failed to take a wicket. India may consider bringing in Kuldeep Yadav or Akash Deep.

Associated Players:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj