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The weather in Dharamsala is set to be a key factor as India and England prepare to face off in the fifth Test of their ongoing series at the scenic HPCA Stadium. Notably, the fifth Test between India and England is set to start from March 7.
India have series in pocket
Following a comeback after a loss in the series opener in Hyderabad, India staged a stunning comeback and clinched emphatic victories in Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, and Ranchi respectively, establishing a commanding 3-1 series lead. These wins have been crucial for Rohit Sharma's team in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, propelling them to second place by the end of the fourth Test. India's position improved to first following New Zealand's loss to Australia in Wellington of late.
Considering the significance of the points percentage (PCT), India are focused on securing an additional 12 points with a victory in Dharamsala before they continue their series in September. Nonetheless, the challenge is compounded by the unpredictable weather in the high-altitude town of Himachal, where persistent rain, snowfall, and dropping temperatures are affecting conditions. The outcome of the match may well hinge on the weather.
What does the Dharamsala's weather forecast say ahead of IND vs ENG's 5th Test?
The local forecast from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) indicates that temperatures could fall to as low as 6 degrees Celsius on the first day of the Test, with light rain expected during the initial two days. Accuweather.com also forecasts afternoon thunderstorms for the first day, with an 82 percent likelihood of rain. Additionally, there's a reported risk of sleet that could disrupt the course of the match.
Temperatures are expected to rise slightly on the second, third, and fourth days, accompanied by periods of sunshine. However, rain might make a comeback on the potential fifth day (March 11, Monday), which is forecasted to be significantly cloudy.
In a previous instance during January, the Indian cricket team found it challenging to perform in the cold during a T20I match against Afghanistan in Mohali. Captain Rohit Sharma was even observed using a hot-water bag to warm his hands during a fielding drinks break.
Gavaskar Issues Caution to India
In light of these conditions, cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar has issued a warning to the Indian team, advising them not to underestimate the challenges posed by the weather in Himachal Pradesh, which are reminiscent of English conditions.
“With just one Test match left in the series and that too in weather conditions more English than Indian, the visitors should feel a lot at home. The ball should swing a lot more in the air, but whether it will also seam off the pitch remains to be seen,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for MidDay.
“There’s a school of thought that thinks that with the series decided, the Indians may ease up a bit, but they forget that even a dead rubber match carries points for winning and all those matter when it comes to qualifying for the World Test Championship final,” he added.
India top the World Test Championship (WTC) standings with a Points Percentage (PCT) of 64.58, achieved through five victories in eight games. On the other hand, England find itself in the eighth position after competing in nine matches.
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.
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