ENG vs IND: Why is Ravi Ashwin Not Playing Today?

Ravi Ashwin ENG vs IND Test: In an important news development, India’s senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is not playing the all-important fifth and final Test match against England at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. The Indian team is back in England after having left the fifth and final Test match due to a massive COVID-19 outbreak in 2021. The visitors have a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series against England at this moment.

ENG vs IND: Why is Ravi Ashwin Not Playing Today?

After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, India’s newly named stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah revealed that senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is warming the bench for this crucial 5th Test match against England. Incidentally, Ashwin was not part of the India playing 11 during all of the previous four Test matches of this series in 2021 when he was fully fit and Virat Kohli was the captain. Ahead of this fifth Test, the right-arm off spinner also tested positive for COVID-19 which was the reason he arrived late in England. However, he still bowled some overs during India’s only warm-up Test against Leicestershire.

“It’s a good feeling (to be captain) and is a big privilege. Can’t get better than this. Excited and looking forward to this. Very happy with the preparation. Wanted to spend a lot of time and get used to the English conditions, as we came back from T20s. Happy with the preparation, now it’s for the mental side to take over. Four bowlers – myself, Siraj, Shardul and Shami along with Jaddu as the all-rounder,” said India skipper Jasprit Bumrah during the toss.

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England vs India: Confirmed India Playing 11

India have went ahead once again with the playing combination of four fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur while left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja will be the lone spinner. Cheteshwar Pujara returns to the India Test side and will play in this match as an opener.

India Playing 11
1. Cheteshwar Pujara
2. Shubman Gill
3. Hanuma Vihari
4. Virat Kohli
5. Shreyas Iyer
6. Rishabh Pant (wk)
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Shardul Thakur
9. Mohammed Shami
10. Jasprit Bumrah (C)
11. Mohammed Siraj

England vs India 2022 Schedule

Date	Format	Fixture	Time	Venue
1-5 July, 2022	5^th Test	England vs India	3:30 PM IST	Edgbaston, Birmingham
7 July, 2022	1^st T20I	England vs India	11 PM IST	The Rose Bowl, Southampton
9 July, 2022	2^nd T20I	England vs India	7 PM IST	Edgbaston, Birmingham
10 July, 2022	3^rd T20I	England vs India	11 PM IST	Trent Bridge, Nottingham
12 July, 2022	1^st ODI	England vs India	3:30 PM IST	Kennington Oval, London
14 July, 2022	2^nd ODI	England vs India	5:30 PM IST	Lord’s, London
17 July, 2022	3^rd ODI	England vs India	5:30 PM IST	Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester