ENG vs IND: 5th Test Preview – Visitors aim for a historic series triumph

After wins at Lord’s and The Oval by 151 and 157 runs, respectively, India go into the final encounter of the five-match series in Manchester against England with a crucial 2-1 lead and a chance to record their first win on these shores of the world in a Test series after 2007, when Rahul Dravid and Co. clinched the three-Test series 1-0. 

After a clinical victory at Lord’s, Kohli’s men were smashed by England at Headingley as they underwent an innings defeat, but the team staged a spirited comeback at The Oval to register a victory at the venue after 50 long years. 

The Indian skipper has been vocal about how the 3-1 scoreline during India’s last tour of England in 2018 belied how well-fought a series that was. Come to 2021, the team has ensured to not just fight well, but also close the games correctly. 

After not-so-ideal tours in 2011, 2014 and 2018, the 2021 tour remains to be one of India’s first chances to fancy a Test series win in England after over a decade and continue their dominating run in the longest format of the game.

Head to head

Match Info

Match: England vs India, 5th Test

Dates: September 10-14, 2021

Time: 3:30 PM IST,

Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester

Team News

England

England have recalled spinner Jack Leach and vice-captain Jos Buttler, who missed the fourth Test due to the birth of his second child, for the final Test. England skipper Joe Root confirmed Buttler’s entry into the team for the final Test, which means England might have to drop either Jonny Bairstow or Ollie Pope to vacate a spot. Moeen Ali is likely to play ahead of Leach. The hosts might bring in Mark Wood in place of Craig Overton to manage the workload of pacers.

India

Even as Ajinkya Rahane has done little to hold his place in the team, it seems likely that he would be given another chance. Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami missed the previous fixture, but given the way their replacements Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav performed, India might opt to not change the winning combination. R Ashwin may replace Ravindra Jadeja in the final Test if the Indian captain wants to give the offie an opportunity.

Probable XI