IND vs ENG 5th Test Playing 11: Padikkal Handed Debut as Ashwin & Bairstow Make 100th Appearance

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India handed Test debut to Devdutt Padikkal in the fifth and final Test against England at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala on Thursday (March 7).

The left-handed Karnataka batter, who made his India debut in the T20 format in 2021, becomes the fifth debutant in the ongoing series, joining the likes of Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel and Akash Deep.

The 23-year-old Padikkal received his first Test cap from Ravichandran Ashwin, who makes his 100th Test appearance. England's Jonny Bairstow also plays his 100th match in Dharamsala.

Padikkal, who had scored 556 runs including 3 hundreds in 6 innings for Karnataka in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, has replaced Patidar as India make one more change with Jasprit Bumrah coming in for Akash Deep.

England, who won the toss and opted to bat first, have made just the one change to their playing 11 from the Ranchi Test. The visitors had in fact announced their playing 11 on the eve of the Dharamsala Test. In the only like for like change Mark Wood returns to the side, replacing Ollie Robinson. Here is a look at the playing 11 of both sides:

India vs England 5th Test Playing 11

India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.

England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper), Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, Mark Wood, James Anderson.

What the captains said at the toss?

After opting to bat, England skipper Ben Stokes said: "You probably have a bat looking at this pitch. It's another opportunity to represent our country. Great experience for the boys to be part of this series and they have showed great character in their fight."

On Bairstow's milestone appearance, Stokes added: "Amazing (Bairstow playing his 100th Test)! Jonny is one of our best ever all format players. 100 Test caps shows his commitment. Nice moment a few minutes ago when he got the cap with his family around."

On the playing 11, Stokes said: "One change for us. Mark Wood comes in." This was already confirmed on Wednesday (March 7) but Shoaib Bashir, who had a stomach bug seems to have recovered to be part of the team.

On being asked to bowl, India captain Rohit Sharma said: "We would have batted first as well. We have done really well so far this series and an opportunity to finish on a high.

"There should be good bounce on this pitch than the games before in this series. Good pitch to bat on and I don't think it will deteriorate that much."

On Ashwin's 100th appearance, Rohit added: "Ash has been a real stalwart of Indian cricket. Such a proud moment for him, his nation and the family. We will be rooting for him to do the magic."

On the playing 11 for the final Test, Rohit said: "Bumrah is back, Akash Deep misses out. Devdutt Padikkal makes his debut as Patidar got injured last evening."

Why Patidar is dropped?

BCCI gave an update on why Patidar is not in the playing 11. BCCI statement read: "Rajat Patidar got hit on his left ankle during Team India's practice session on 6th March, 2024. He pulled up sore on the morning of the game and was not available for selection for the 5th Test."