Fifth Test Preview: IND v ENG
India and England meet in a dead rubber in Chennai with the ground expected to be ready to host the game despite extensive damage around the city caused by cyclone Vardah.
The series may be gone but there is still plenty at stake for two teams that have proud traditions to uphold and rankings points to defend.
As far as rankings points go another defeat will see England slip out of the top four ranked Test teams having been one win away from reaching the number one ranking earlier this year.
For England skipper Alastair Cook this Test will carry special significance as he seeks to lift some of the pressure off himself after a run of poor scores and a series of tactical missteps have left him open to vociferous criticism.
India have the chance to break a number of records in Chennai with Ravi Ashwin nine wickets away from the best ever series haul for an India bowler and Kohli 135 runs shy of breaking Sunil Gavaskar’s record for most runs in a Test series.
Cook is also just 2 runs away from registering 11,000 Test runs.
India are determined to build on their growing reputation as a modern Test powerhouse with a professional approach to preparation and will be keen to show they are consummate professionals by securing a 4-0 series win.
The Chennai pitch is something of an unknown with the heavy rain in the area forcing groundstaff to dry the pitch with hot coals, it should turn but there is also the possibility of variable bounce and seam movement or a completely lifeless track.
With James Anderson ruled out it is quite likely that Liam Dawson could make his Test debut.
Key Men
In terms of batsmen India have plenty of quality but it is obvious that Kohli is the star performer, the hosts will want to see the rest of the top order step up in Chennai though.
With the ball Ashwin has been lethal but has also been brilliantly backed up by Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav whose efforts with the bat have also given their team a huge boost.
Joe Root and Alastair Cook will again be the key for England as they look to rally an unsettled and inexperienced batting lineup.
With the ball Adil Rashid is the closest thing England have to a match winner in Indian conditions, they will need him to find more consistency though.
Last five head-to-head results
2016 Fourth Test: India won by an innings and 36 runs in Mumbai
2016 Third Test: India won by 8 wickets in Mohali
2016 Second Test: India won by 246 runs in Vizag
2016 First Test: Match drawn in Rajkot
2014 Fifth Test: England won by an innings and 244 runs at The Oval
Squads
India squad for Fourth Test: Virat Kohli (C), Parthiv Patel (WK), Manish Pandey, Lokesh Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Karun Nair, Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma , Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
England: Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Gareth Batty, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Steve Finn, Keaton Jennings, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.
Details
Dates: 16-20 December
Morning session: 09:30-11:30 (04:00-06:00 GMT)
Afternoon session: 12:10-14:10 (06:40-08:40 GMT)
Evening session: 14:30-17:00 (09:00-11:00 GMT)
Umpires: Marais Erasmus and Simon Fry
TV Umpire: Bruce Oxenford
Match Referee: Jeff Crowe
Latest
-
News
Ex-NZ captain Brendon McCullum favourite for England Test coach role – reports
The 40-year-old is said to have been interviewed for the position.
-
News
Henry Nicholls doubtful for New Zealand Test opener in England after calf scan
The middle order batter will make the trip to England for the three-Test series but could miss out on the first Test at Lord’s.
-
News
Brendon McCullum emerges as leading contender for England Test coach – reports
The 40-year-old is said to have held talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board and is believed to be interested in the job.
-
News
Former England batter Graham Thorpe ‘seriously ill’ in hospital
The 52-year-old had accepted the job of Afghanistan head coach following his departure from the England set-up after this winter’s Ashes.
-
News
CSA drops charges of gross misconduct and racism against head coach Mark Boucher
Boucher said the allegations “were unjustified and have caused me considerable hurt and anguish”.
-
News
Luke Wright to take up short-term role on New Zealand coaching staff
Wright was part of Paul Collingwood’s T20 World Cup-winning side in 2010 and played 101 white-ball internationals for his country.
-
News
Holland head coach Ryan Campbell discharged from hospital after cardiac arrest
The Dutch Cricket Federation (KNCB) say tests have ruled out a heart attack as the cause of the cardiac arrest.
-
News
Essex draw with Yorkshire as Sir Alastair Cook scores century in both innings
England’s leading Test run-scorer finished unbeaten on 102 at Chelmsford.
-
News
Surrey complete Northamptonshire win by innings and five runs inside three days
New Zealand all-rounder Colin De Grandhomme started the Northamptonshore rot.
-
News
His best position is at four – Ben Stokes moves Joe Root back to preferred spot
The new England Test skipper is already making his mark.