This is the end: As curtains draw on enthralling series, India look to make it 4-1 but England fancy a win too

Deepankar Sharda

Dharamsala, March 6

The five-match Test series between India and England has been as dazzling as the mountains dressed in white looking over the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium.

From England’s astonishing win in Hyderabad to a star power-deprived India’s masterclass in making comebacks to take an unassailable 3-1 lead, it has been a series to remember.

England’s Bazballers might have been handed a reality check as India stretched their unmatched home record to 17 consecutive Test series wins. The series is India’s, but another riveting contest could unfold in the Himalayan foothills in the dead rubber from tomorrow.

England captain Ben Stokes wants to make it count. “At 3-1, you think it’s not been a success but I look at it with completely different angles to that and I think we’ve definitely progressed as a team even though we haven’t got the results we wanted. You know, 3-2 sounds better than 3-1 or 4-1, and that’s obviously what we’re looking to do,” Stokes said.

However, Rohit Sharma’s side has been a sucker for pressure, as they have shown throughout the series. “You must have seen that we have absorbed pressure and put it back on the opposition. This has been satisfying, especially with a group of boys who have not been under such pressure situations,” Rohit remarked.

Different conditions

Rain in the chilly conditions here is likely to disrupt the first day of the match. The conditions here are completely different from the previous venues. Overcoming last month’s snowfall, now shining under the bright sun in morning, the pitch at HPCA will give a testing time to both the teams.

The maximum temperature is expected to be around 10°C for the opening two days before rising over the weekend, and while the pitch wore a flat look on the eve of the game, the moisture will add the surprise element to the contest.

For only its second Test match, the venue would have a used pitch from last month’s Ranji Trophy game. Interestingly, in the recent four Ranji games, teams were able to score 300-plus on multiple occasions, with the highest total of the season being 482 posted by Baroda.

It sure did seem like a “belter”, as Stokes pointed out. “Before we even got here, we were probably thinking it was going to be a three seamer one spinner attack but then when we saw the wicket and then saw it again today, I think going with two seamers and two spinners is probably the right call. We felt there would probably a bit more grass on the wicket just because of where we are but overall the wicket looks an absolute belter,” he said.

Ins and outs

While Mark Wood returned to the England team — replacing Ollie Robinson — there was a shred of worry as Robinson and Shoaib Bashir (who has a sore spinning finger) skipped training due to “upset stomachs”.

However, sources claimed that Bashir, who took eight wickets in the fourth match, will be available to play. If he’s unavailable, England’s only hope will be Surrey’s uncapped fast bowler Gus Atkinson as spinners Jack Leach (knee) and Rehan Ahmed (personal reasons) have already left the tour.

“I don’t think it’s anything to be too concerned about,” said Stokes. “They woke up with slightly upset stomachs and the day before a game you don’t want to put anybody at risk so we’ve decided to keep them away from the team.”

For India, Jasprit Bumrah is likely to return to join Mohammed Siraj, while Ravichandran Ashwin — who will feature in his 100th Test — Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav will again threaten England batters.

The struggling Rajat Patidar, who found the skipper’s support today, could get another chance.

“A big achievement for any player to play 100 Tests. It is a big milestone. He has been a match-winner for us. What he has done for us, no praise is enough,” Rohit said of Ashwin.