\u201cWe will take a decision tomorrow,\u201d Gill said in the pre-match press conference. \u201cWicket looks very green. So let\u2019s see.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gill confirmed that left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has been asked to be ready and could make his Test debut if Bumrah is rested. \u201cHe has been told to be prepared,\u201d Gill said. \u201cWe will take a call on the final XI after assessing the pitch later today.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India are considering Arshdeep as a potential replacement for Bumrah, who was rested in the fourth Test that ended in a draw in Manchester.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gill also addressed the team's spin options, saying India are comfortable going in with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, even though England have not picked a frontline spinner. \u201cWe are confident in Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to handle spin duties effectively.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gill said the 2-2 result would be a good outcome for the team, considering the high level of competition throughout the series. \u201cAfter four days, it was often hard to predict a winner,\u201d he said. \u201cEvery match has been very close. It\u2019s been a good learning experience for us and we are hopeful of finishing on a high.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gill also downplayed the on-field tensions between the two sides. The series has seen several heated moments, including his exchange with Zak Crawley at the Lord\u2019s and Ravindra Jadeja\u2019s refusal to stop play in fading light at Old Trafford.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"The relationship is fantastic,\" he said. \"When you\u2019re on the field, you\u2019re trying to win; both teams have been very competitive, and sometimes in the heat of the moment, things happen. But once the match is over, there is mutual respect, so there are no regrets for anything that has happened on the field.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The most recent flashpoint came off the field, as India\u2019s head coach Gautam Gambhir got into a heated argument with Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis. The confrontation occurred during an optional training session, when Gambhir attempted a close inspection of the pitch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I don't know what happened exactly yesterday, why the curator refused,\" Gill said. \"We have played four matches here before; no one refused us. So much cricket has been played, and we saw the wicket. Don\u2019t know what the fuss was all about.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gambhir was reportedly told to stay 2.5 to 3 metres away from the pitch, an instruction that caught the Indian camp by surprise. \"As long as I can remember, there has been no such instruction,\" Gill said. \"As long as you're wearing rubber spikes or are barefoot, you can get a close look at the pitch. And we have watched and played enough cricket. I don't know what the fuss is all about.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
When asked whether Gambhir\u2019s reaction stemmed from pressure or frustration, Gill was quick to back his coach: \"Not really. If a pitch curator comes and asks us to look at the wicket from 3 meters away, that is not something that has happened to us before.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With so much tension, one might assume the atmosphere between the two teams has soured. But Gill downplayed any lasting animosity. \u201cNot really,\u201d he said when asked if strained feelings lingered. \u201cOnce you\u2019re done with the match, you move on to the next one\u2026 Whatever happened in the last game is gone. We want to move on and perform our best in the next one.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
When asked whether Gambhir\u2019s reaction stemmed from pressure or frustration, Gill was quick to back his coach: \"Not really. If a pitch curator comes and asks us to look at the wicket from 3 meters away, that is not something that has happened to us before.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The fifth Test begins on Thursday, with England leading the series 2-1.<\/p>\r\n\r\n