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India's premier off-spinner R Ashwin will be aiming for a memorable performance in his 100th Test match when the hosts face a struggling England in the final match of their thrilling five-match series in Dharamsala on March 7.
India upheld their impressive record at home by clinching the series victory in Ranchi. Now, they are seeking another positive outcome to bolster their position in the World Test Championships (WTC) standings.
English players feel at home
The pitch conditions and the cold weather, which has made the English players feel at home, are the main topics of discussion leading up to the game.
The temperature is expected to remain around 10 degrees Celsius for the first two days before rising over the weekend.
The pitch appeared flat on the eve of the game, but the moisture underneath will maintain the interest of pacers during the early hours of play each day.
Although traditionally favouring fast bowlers, spinners also play a significant role at this venue. They were crucial in India's victory over Australia in the one Test held here in 2017.
During the recent Ranji Trophy matches, teams managed to score over 300 runs on multiple occasions. The highest total of the season, 482, was posted by Baroda.
Ashwin and Bairstow's 100th Test appearance
Both Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow, who will each make their 100th Test appearance on March 7, shared differing opinions on the pitch. Bairstow described it as 'nice' while Ashwin noted that both teams will be entering unfamiliar territory due to the cold weather.
However, India are unlikely to make changes to their bowling combination, sticking with two pacers and three spinners.
Jasprit Bumrah will make a comeback to strengthen the attack, alongside Mohammed Siraj as the second pacer. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav, who has played only 11 Tests since his successful debut here in 2017, will handle the spin duties.
With KL Rahul still not fully recovered for this match, it could offer another opportunity to Rajat Patidar, who has struggled in his debut series. Patidar has managed only 63 runs in six innings at number four, facing unusual dismissals. This match might be his final chance to secure a spot in the squad.
Devdutt Padikkal, a top-order batter, is another option that the team management has in the middle order.
Sarfaraz Khan, who has played only two Tests, failed to make a big impact in Ranchi after a promising debut in Rajkot. He will be eager to perform well before the end of the red ball season.
The remaining batters have also contributed significantly throughout five games, especially Yashasvi Jaiswal. He is close to becoming the second Indian, after the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, to score 700 runs in a series.
England aim to end tour on a high
Despite already losing the series, their first in the 'Bazball' era, England remain determined to make the most of the remaining matches before heading back home after an extensive tour.
Bairstow's impending 100th Test milestone will be celebrated throughout the week, and it seems that the England cricketers are enjoying their time in this picturesque town, particularly with the cold weather adding to their comfort.
Having struggled to perform up to par in the series so far, the right-hander will be eager to turn things around and make his 100th Test appearance a memorable one by rediscovering his form.
The presence of England fans in large numbers further motivates the players to deliver a special performance.
"I don't think that anyone is thinking like that," Ben Stokes said on March 5 when asked if players are already thinking about returning home.
"We feel every opportunity to play for England is special. That's just our mentality and our mindset, regardless of where you are, or how long you've been away. But that shouldn't take away from the fact that this place is pretty special," the skipper told the travelling British media.
England, initially opting for only one specialist pacer at the beginning of the series, switched to two pacers in the last game and will maintain this approach here as well.
Veteran James Anderson will team up with Mark Wood, who will take the place of Ollie Robinson.
Shoaib Bashir, managing a sore spinning finger, and Tom Hartley have shown maturity in their debut series and will serve as the two specialist spinners.
India's squad for 5th Test against England
Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep.
England's Playing XI for 5th Test against India
Ben Stokes (c), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson, Shoaib Bashir.
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