NEW DELHI:
England
have opted for a solitary change in their lineup, with fast bowler
Mark Wood
stepping in to replace
Ollie Robinson
. The fifth and final Test against India is scheduled to commence on Thursday in
Dharamsala
, with the hosts having already secured a commanding 3-1 series lead.
The English squad remains resolute as they prepare to face the high-altitude and chilly conditions of the Himalayan hill town.
A key figure in their lineup, veteran seamer James Anderson, retains his place and is on the cusp of a remarkable milestone, requiring just two wickets to join the elite club of bowlers with 700 Test dismissals, alongside legends Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne.
The upcoming Test also holds significance for England's
Jonny Bairstow
, who is poised to mark his 100th Test appearance, amidst struggles with form.
On the Indian side, spinner
Ravichandran Ashwin
is set to achieve a similar milestone, having already surpassed the 500-wicket mark during the ongoing series.
However, the weather looms as a crucial factor in the proceedings, with Dharamsala's picturesque setting amidst snow-capped peaks at an altitude of 1,317 meters (4,320 feet) facing the risk of sleet.
Temperature forecasts indicate a potential drop to as low as 1 degree Celsius (34 Fahrenheit) on Thursday, adding another layer of complexity to the match dynamics.
India's recent dominance in the series was evident in their convincing five-wicket triumph in the fourth Test in Ranchi. With an unbeaten streak in home series since 2012, when they were defeated by England with a 2-1 scoreline under Alastair Cook's leadership, the hosts aim to maintain their stronghold and end the series on a high note.
England Playing XI for Dharamsala Test:Zak Crawley
, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow,
Ben Stokes
(capt), Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson, Shoaib Bashir
(With inputs from AFP)
English (US) ·