India skipper Shubman Gill said a decision on Jasprit Bumrah's inclusion in the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval will be taken on the day of the match. India are 1-2 down in the five-match series and have to win to make the contest level.
"We will decide tomorrow," Gill said at the pre-match press conference. "Wicket looks very green. So let's see.
Gill disclosed that left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has been summoned to standby and could make his debut Test cap if Bumrah is rested. "He has been instructed to stand by," Gill said. "We will finalize the XI after evaluating the pitch later today.
Bumrah was rested already for the fourth Test in Manchester, which was drawn, and Arshdeep is being lined up as a replacement subject to conditions.
Talking about the spin section, Gill said he was confident with India's spin pair, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, even though England did not name a specialist spinner. "We have faith in Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to execute spin responsibilities effectively," he said.
Gill acknowledged that to draw the series 2-2 would be a welcome result for the side, pointing to the closely contested nature of the matches. "After four days, it was usually difficult to say who was going to win," he said. "Each game has been very competitive. It's been a good learning curve for us and we are optimistic of ending on a high."
He also ruled out any other suggestion of ill will between the two sides, even though their series was marked by a number of intense moments. Some of them include Gill's on-field argument with Zak Crawley at Lord's and Jadeja's refusal to halt play during dwindling sunlight in Old Trafford.
“The relationship is fantastic,” Gill said. “When you’re on the field, you’re trying to win; both teams have been very competitive, and sometimes in the heat of the moment, things happen. But once the match is over, there is mutual respect, so there are no regrets for anything that has happened on the field.”
The latest controversy cropped up off the field, and it involved India's head coach Gautam Gambhir and Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis. The two were involved in a heated exchange when Gambhir tried to get a close-up look at the pitch during an optional practice.
"I do not know what occurred precisely yesterday, why the curator denied," Gill said. "We have played four games here earlier; nobody denied us. So much cricket was played, and we have seen the wicket. Do not know what all the fuss is about."
Gambhir was reportedly instructed to keep 2.5 to 3 metres away from the surface—a directive which came as a surprise to the Indian team. "As far back as I can remember, there never was any such directive," said Gill. "As long as you're shoeless or have rubber spikes on your feet, you can take a close look at the pitch. And we have seen and played enough cricket. I don't know what all the commotion is about."
When questioned whether Gambhir's response was due to increasing pressure or frustration, Gill strongly came to his defense. "Not really. If a pitch curator approaches us and asks us to examine the wicket at 3 meters, that has never happened before.
In spite of the various flashpoints, Gill reaffirmed that tensions on the field have not carried over off the field. "Not really," he replied when asked if there are any issues outstanding between the sides. "Once you've finished with the game, you go on to the next… Whatever transpired in the previous game is history. We want to get on and do our best in the next one."
Gill ended by restating the importance of getting a 2-2 scoreline, terming the series a great experience for his team. "After four days, it was always difficult to forecast a winner," he said, highlighting the lessons drawn and the team's desire to end the series on a high note.
The last Test begins on Thursday, with England already leading 2-1.
Read also| ECB Confirms Ben Stokes Ruled Out of India Series-Decider; New Captain Announced
Read also| Jadeja Reigns as No. 1 Test All-Rounder; Abhishek Sharma Tops T20I Batting Rankings
