After one of the best series wins in the history of cricket, Team India will now host the Englishmen for a challenging 4-match Test series followed by 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs. The first match between the two sides is set to take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, starting this Friday.
The match will mark the return of international cricket after a break of almost one year and in addition to that the series is also very important in terms of the ICC Test World Championship. New Zealand became the first team to qualify for the finals and this series could decide their opponents.
India seems to be the heavy favorites to make it to the final as England will have to win the series 3-0 or 4-0 in order to make the cut. But given England’s record in the sub-continent, it does look tough for them. While for the Men in Blue, they will need to win the series at best 2-1 and anything better being an added advantage.
The last time the sides clashed against each other was back in 2018 when India toured England. The series was sealed in favor of the hosts 3-1 and they would be hoping they can replicate that away from home this time.
Both the teams will come into this series on the back of thumping victories. England comes on the back of a dominating 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. While the Indians managed to defeat the mighty Aussies in their home conditions and also breached the Gabba fortress.
A series with so much at stake. Can India continue their winning run and make it to the finals of the prestigious ICC World Test Championship final? Or will the inventors of the game have the final word?
Match Toss Time: 09:00 Local (03:30 GMT)
Match Start Time: 09:30 Local (04:00 GMT)
Match Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Weather Report
The perfect conditions for cricket. With no chance of rains whatsoever and clear skies throughout the course of five days. We are in for an absolute 5-days of entertainment. The temperature is expected to be hovering in the 27-23 degree Celsius and the humidity at the peak is likely to touch the 58 percent mark.
Pitch
The pitch is more in favor of the batsmen and the team winning the toss should be looking to bat first as batting in the last innings could be a very difficult task. The average score batting first at this venue is around the 350 mark and they should be looking to score thereabouts.
The latest update on the pitch does give us a hint that there could be some assistance from the pacers. While the last three matches have seen spinners pick up 70 percent of the wickets, they are likely to dictate the proceedings from Day 3.
Team News
India will be without the services of star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. He is still recovering from his injury and could be part of the last two tests. Hardik Pandya was seen in the nets and Rahane did indicate he could well be in the cut. Both the lead pacers of India- Bumrah and Ishant Sharma have been adjourned fit to play and that could mean that Siraj and Thakur will have to sit out.
England on the other side were dealt with a huge blow in form of Zak Crawley, who has is now ruled out of the first two matches after suffering a wrist injury. Moeen Ali, who was ruled out of the Sri Lankan tour after being tested positive for Covid is now fit to play.
Probable Playing Xl
India (IND): Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
England (ENG): Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Daniel Lawrence, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Dom Bess, Jack Leach, Jofra Archer, James Anderson
IND vs ENG Fantasy Team
Rishabh Pant, Jos Buttler, Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jofra Archer, Dom Bess, Jasprit Bumrah
Captain Picks: Virat Kohli (IND), Rohit Sharma (IND)
Vice-captain Picks: Joe Root (ENG), Ravichandran Ashwin (IND)
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