All pacers are fit: Gambhir on Bumrah, Oval Test deliberations

Pant ruled out of final Test with foot injury; uncapped Jagadeesan named replacement keeper

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and the rest of the fast-bowling unit are fit and available for the fifth and final Test against England, starting Thursday at The Oval.

With the five-match series on the line and India looking to level it and stay competitive in the new ICC World Test Championship cycle, the team faces a selection puzzle in the pace department.

Bumrah, currently ranked No. 1 in the ICC men's Test bowling rankings, has already played three Tests in the series and fulfilled the pre-series workload targets. Yet, with the decider looming, he remains in contention to lead the attack once again.

Gambhir also confirmed that both Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh have recovered from their injuries and are in the mix for selection, giving India a full-strength pace arsenal to choose from for the series finale in south London.

"All the fast bowlers are fit. There are no injury concerns. We haven't had any conversation around the combination for the last Test," Gambhir said after India's marathon batting effort helped them secure a draw in Manchester.