India vs England 5th Test Preview & Betting Tips – The Indians Gear Up For A Final Battle After Winning The War

By Nikhil Kalro

06 Mar 2024

Nikhil Kalro 06 Mar 2024

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India leads 3-1 in the Test series against England, despite key players' absence; weather could influence the final Test's outcome
The upcoming Test marks a milestone of 100 Tests for players R Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow
Potential records for Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma, with the former close to surpassing Gavaskar's record for most runs in a five-Test series

The Indian team practices at Dharamsala ahead of their fifth and final Test match of the series against England. (Getty Images)

No Virat Kohli. No Mohammed Shami. No Rishabh Pant. No KL Rahul after the first Test. No Mohammad Siraj in the second Test. Jasprit Bumrah rested for the fourth Test.

Yet, with so many key players unavailable or rested, India have an unassailable 3-1 lead as the five-Test series rolls to its conclusion in the hills in Dharamsala.

For once, not many are looking down on the pitch. Instead, they’re looking up to the weather. To see how overcast and chilly it is, which will mean the surface’s ability to retain moisture will be that much more.

There has been rain and snowfall in the week leading into the Test, which has meant the surface has remained under covers for longer than usual. This means one thing: you’re unlikely to see a turning track.

Which way will this force the teams to go? Two pacers and three spinners or three seamers and two spinners. You’d think the second option is the more likely one.

Milestones and Challenges

Into player specifics, and this will be the 100th Test for R Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow. Ashwin also celebrated the 500-wickets milestone earlier in the series.

Bairstow, meanwhile, has had a lean series but is being backed by the team management to come good. He averages 21.25 across eight innings with a best of 38, numbers that pale in comparison to his overall record.

At different stages, England have truly been tested with their philosophy of playing Bazball, but in Ranchi, they deviated wildly from a template that has brought them so much success and has made their Test side very watchable over the past two years.

Ben Stokes came into India not having lost a Test series since teaming up with Brendon McCullum, the head coach, but will leave India with a first-ever series defeat under his captaincy.

However, he will have an opportunity to pull another Test back, like they did in Hyderabad. With the World Test Championship adding context to every game, there are no dead rubbers anymore.

Weather Conditions Could Dictate Strategy

India will contemplate giving Rajat Patidar another go despite four failures. They will also probably leave out an extra spinner in Kuldeep Yadav for the extra pacer in Bumrah.

England will also likely bring Mark Wood back to bowl alongside James Anderson and Ollie Robinson, while the spin duties will be shared by Tom Hartley, the highest wicket-taker in the series with 20 scalps, and Shoaib Bashir.

India vs England – Tips & Predictions

Yashasvi Jaiswal is in the form of his life and can’t put a foot wrong, having aggregated 655 runs in eight innings, the highest across both sides. Expect him to continue to feast on attacks. He has an opportunity to go past Sunil Gavaskar’s record for most runs in a five-Test series.

Rohit Sharma has been threatening to cut loose and brought up a century in Ranchi that not many remember because of the bowling heroics. He’s due another big score and the Dharamsala surface will be another test.

For England, Zak Crawley will be a must-have on current form, while Stokes is a good pick as well considering there is a possibility he will be fit and ready to bowl.

Overall, back India to make the most of their advantage and clinch the series 4-1, but don’t discount England to cave away without a fight. Another true test of Bazball awaits.

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