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JE Sports Desk: As Team India gear up for the first test against West Indies in Dominica starting July 12, the conundrum of the fifth bowling option in the playing eleven will be a headache for the team management. Jaydev Unadkat, Mukesh Kumar, and Navdeep Saini are running against time for the third pacer's position as the series commences in Roseau's Windsor Park on Wednesday.

The Windsor Park in the Dominican capital of Roseau is not as well-known as other West Indies grounds like Sabina Park or Kensington Oval. It has hosted only five Tests, four ODIs, and an equal number of T20Is. The most recent Test match at this venue took place in 2017, with Pakistan emerging victorious by 101 runs within three days.

Considering West Indies' past results, where they have won only one out of five Tests, including a victory against Zimbabwe, they are unlikely to derive much confidence from historical outcomes.

If we consider the last Test played at this ground, Pakistan's pacers Mohammed Amir, Hasan Ali, and Mohammed Abbas shared 11 wickets among them, while leg-spinner Yasir Shah accounted for eight of the remaining nine scalps across two innings.

It is expected that India will field both specialist spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Shardul Thakur, who displayed his batting abilities and put up a decent performance in the WTC final against England, is likely to play alongside pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj.

Axar Patel, an all-rounder in the mold of Ravindra Jadeja, could be considered as an option for the fifth bowling position. However, on most Caribbean tracks, it is advisable to have a third pacer in the squad.

The decision regarding the fifth bowler, particularly a probable third pacer, won't be an easy one as all three contenders possess unique attributes that add value to the team.

Navdeep Saini, who is gradually regaining his rhythm, offers pace and durability, capable of bowling long spells without compromising on speed. His pace could prove valuable on slower pitches, especially with the old Dukes ball.

Then there's Jaydev Unadkat, a Ranji Trophy legend who recently made his second Test appearance against Bangladesh after a 12-year gap since his debut in 2010 against South Africa. Unadkat brings an element of surprise with his left-arm angle, capable of delivering both outswing and variations that can trouble right-handed batsmen.

Also Read: India's Test and ODI Squad for Windies series

Lastly, there's Mukesh Kumar, a 29-year-old talent from Bengal who has made significant progress in the past three domestic seasons. Among the contenders, Mukesh is perhaps the most proficient new-ball bowler, adept at generating both inswing and outswing while extracting movement off the surface.

Although Mukesh's pace remains in the early 130 kmph range, his effectiveness with the old ball in later spells when his pace drops could prove crucial.

Also Read: Team India arrives in Dominica ahead of 1st test, See pictures

Ultimately, the choice for the third pacer will rest with skipper Rohit Sharma. It will depend on their current form in the nets and a thorough assessment of the prevailing conditions on the eve of the Test match.

 

Inputs from PTI