(Info4now, June 30, 2022)- The fourth Test between England and India was played 10 months earlier and Captain Kohli was in Midas touch as we termed it in the preview of IND vs ENG 5th Test in Manchester. Unfortunately it was postponed on account of covid 19 and after that things changed a lot. Virat Kohli was dropped from ODI captaincy and he himself resigned as the captain of the Test team.
So the captain with an unassailable lead in the series will not lead and it’s just a different game for India. While the sole target is to win the final test, the emergence of a new captain, new coach and the forms of two or three players are the big issues for the visitors. On the other hand, England just cleaned New Zealand 3-0 and they got back Ben Stokes in the side as a player. But the form of the opening pair and the bowling combination will hurt them.
Preview: IND vs ENG 5th rescheduled Test, 2022
English top order is in a mess and it’s the weakness India will be looking for with the ball. Alex Lees is in mixed touch and Jack Crawly is completely out of rhythm. Ollie Pope is fantastic with his class timing of the red ball. Joe Root was unbeaten in the last innings and he needs no introduction here in the midst of his current going. If Ben Foakes fails to make the playing XI, it must be a setback. But the host will try their best to get him back fit and fine. Matthew Potts will continue as Jimmy Anderson to join Stuart Broad. Jack Leach will make the playing XI without any question.
In the absence of Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal will open the innings with Subhman Gill. Cheteshwar Pujara is back to remove any confrontation with the No 3 position. And Virat Kohli. He is the king and the captain of the series. The attached emotions might bring out the best in him. He can change the game with any partnership with Pujara or Hanuma Vihari. The lower middle is well decorated with Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja.
Md. Siraj hasn’t been at his best for the last few months. But India will probably continue with him hoping to get some terrific seam positions. Md Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will take the new ball and Shardul Thakur might make the side as the fourth pacer or fifth bowling option. There is little chance of Ashwin as the camp may stick to Ravindra Jadeja.
To Conclude
It’s the ground where England lost the series against New Zealand one year ago and India must fancy their chances. It’s a complete seaming wicket and the openers of both the teams have to go through tough tests throughout the contest. Apart from the contest of two dominant sides, IND vs ENG 5th Test is going to be a temperament test for two respective new captains and new coaches.
Playing XI of India vs England 5th Test
India(Probable): Subhman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteswar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Hanuma Vihari, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Shardul Thakur, Md. Siraj, Md. Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.
England(Probable): Alex Lees, Jak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Johnny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Ben Foakes/ Sam Billings, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts and James Anderson.