As India gears up for the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval, captain Shubman Gill has kept fans guessing about the inclusion of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. With the series hanging in the balance, India is eyeing a win to level it 2-2.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Gill revealed that the team would make a final call on Bumrah’s participation on the morning of the match, scheduled for Thursday, 31 July. “The pitch looks quite green, so we’ll assess conditions and decide tomorrow,” he said.

Bumrah was initially expected to play only three of the five Tests to manage his workload. Having already featured in three, his availability for the decider remains uncertain, adding suspense to India’s lineup strategy.

India’s playing XI is still under consideration, with selectors weighing options based on pitch conditions and player fitness. The outcome of this match could be pivotal—not just for the series, but for early momentum in the World Test Championship cycle.