As the caravan shifts to Manchester, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes the visitors will make at least one change in their playing XI for the fifth and final Test against England, starting September 10. Meanwhile, the visitors are currently 2-1 ahead in the series having won the last Test by 157 runs at Oval.

Meanwhile, the fourth Test saw Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav slot in the playing XI in place of Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma. Both of them did exceedingly well to cement their spot in the playing XI for the 5th Test in Manchester.

Hello, Old Trafford 👋. Our final stop 📌#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/PUIyxFOPpV

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 8, 2021

However, Sunil Gavaskar feels Mohammed Shami still has to be included in the team. According to Gavaskar, the management might drop Mohammed Siraj, who had a bad day in the business at Oval, or rest Jasprit Bumrah to manage his workload with a lot of cricket to be played over the coming few months.

Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Sunil Gavaskar said:

“Shami walks into the team. There’s no question about it. The only question is… whether Shami comes in place of Siraj – because he was just off colour in this particular game – so that’s the only area where I see the opportunity to make a chance. But he has to come in, there’s no question about it. 

“I think in my view, you’re still playing for India and the series is yet to be won. If you are 2-0 up, then rest Bumrah, but we still haven’t won the series so Bumrah has to play,” Gavaskar added.

Incidentally, Mohammed Siraj has been one of the highest wicket-takers for India in the series after Jasprit Bumrah with 14 scalps at an average of 30.71.

India begin preparations in Manchester for the final Test

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Snapshots from #TeamIndia's training session at the Old Trafford Cricket Stadium ahead of the 5th and final Test.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/1W0PerjcTy

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 8, 2021

Virat Kohli & Co have already begun their preparations for the final showdown in Manchester. With an unassailable 2-1 lead, India will look to take the Pataudi Trophy home. It will be interesting to see if the management tinker with their winning template.

Meanwhile, India will be without head coach Ravi Shastri, bowling Bharat Arun, and fielding coach R Sridhar in the final Test who have tested positive for COVID-19. They are currently in isolation and also missed the last two days of the fourth Test.