Author: Akshay Published Date: 30 July 2025
The India-England Test series has already had its share of twists and turns, but as we head into the decisive 5th Test, there’s one issue every Indian cricket fan and pundit can’t stop debating—the No. 5 spot in India’s batting lineup. For coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill, it’s more than just picking a name out of a hat. It’s become the main headache as they look for balance, confidence, and that one player who can anchor an innings when everything else seems shaky.
The Stubborn No. 5 Problem
If you’ve followed Indian cricket over the years, you’ll know that a solid No. 5 is like insurance—it gives you peace of mind. Think of Rishabh Pant: explosive, fearless, always ready to counterattack. With him at No. 5, India not only had a game-changer, but also the luxury to tinker with the rest of the lineup, adding an all-rounder or an extra bowler for flexibility.
But things haven’t been the same since Pant’s injury. His absence left a gaping hole, and as the team heads into the crucial last match, the question looms: who can step up and deliver when the chips are down?
Dhruv Jurel: The New Hope?
The team management seems to be closely watching Dhruv Jurel, a young wicketkeeper batsman whose promise with the bat is still more potential than performance. In the nets, Gambhir and Gill have spent hours observing him. While he’s adapting fast as a keeper, Jurel hasn’t looked entirely comfortable with bat in hand during these high-stakes prep sessions. Can he hold his nerve in the middle, facing a world-class English attack? It’s a big ask, but Gambhir seems ready to take a gamble on youthful energy—at least for now.
Balancing Act: What’s at Stake?
The situation isn’t just about picking a replacement. The choice you make at No. 5 has a domino effect on the rest of the team. When Pant played, India could go bold with team selection; now, there’s a real risk of exposing either the bowling or the lower order. Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar have both been floated as possible solutions—being all-rounders with the ability to chip in with the bat. But is that enough? Should the team sacrifice specialist batting for flexibility, or is it time to anchor the lineup and play it safe?
Washington Sundar—Patch or Permanent Fix?
Sundar put his hand up with a gutsy century in the last Test at Manchester, and fans are already calling for him to be sent higher up the order. The argument is simple: he’s calm under pressure and technically sound. But promoting Sundar creates another question lower down—who fills his spot as the buffer between the tail and the in-form batsmen? Every shuffle in the lineup fixes one problem while creating another.
Jasprit Bumrah and the Bowling Question
On the bowling front, things are just as unpredictable. Bumrah’s fitness is still up in the air. Will he play, or will Arshdeep Singh get a shot? These aren’t just tactical choices; they impact the emotional balance of the team. Every cricketer in the lineup is a product of trust and momentum—and right now, both feel fragile.
The Oval Dilemma
As the team sets its sights on The Oval, pitch conditions will play a part. Early reports point to a green wicket—tempting for captains who want to load up on seamers. But even those choices come back to the No. 5 question: every spot given to a bowler means one less safety net in the middle order, which is exactly where India has felt vulnerable.
It’s Bigger Than One Player
The chatter isn’t just about statistics or player averages. In England, especially, a solid No. 5 can turn matches: surviving tough spells, counterattacking, guiding the tail. Right now, uncertainty breeds more uncertainty; when you don’t know your best XI, the nerves show up in the field, too. For Gambhir—new to the hot seat—the next call could set the tone for the rest of his coaching tenure.
What Are the Options?
So, what can India do from here?
- Stick with youth: Back Jurel, give him a run, and invest in his confidence—even if it means riding out a few poor scores.
- Go for the all-rounder route: Trust Sundar or Thakur, betting on their versatility to get the job done.
- Bring in experience: Call up someone like Karun Nair for stability, even if it means shelving the all-rounder experiment for now.
Each path has risk. And each solution will face its toughest judge on the field.
The Story Ahead
This series—and especially this decision at No. 5—is a moment of transition for Indian cricket. Whether India clinches the series or not, the way Gambhir and Gill navigate these choices will send a message about their trust in youth, their appetite for risk, and their vision for team India.
So as you sit down to watch the fifth Test, keep an eye on who walks in at No. 5. In that one moment lies much of the team’s hope, worry, and the story of this summer’s battle between India and England.