With the series poised in India’s favour, England lock horns with the visitors in the fifth and final match of the series at Old Trafford in Manchester, starting September 10 (Friday). While the hosts will be desperate to pull back and end the series in a draw, India will be keen to hold onto the lead and retain the Pataudi Trophy.
India, who have the momentum with them, will look to continue their good brand of cricket as they inch close to the first series win in England after 14 years. Viray Kohli & Co are likely to make one change bringing in Mohammed Shami in place of Mohammed Siraj, who looked off-colour in the Oval Test.
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Snapshots from #TeamIndia's training session at the Old Trafford Cricket Stadium ahead of the 5th and final Test.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/1W0PerjcTy
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 8, 2021
However, the spotlight will once again be on that fragile middle-order, which has haunted India throughout the series. It remains to be seen whether underfire Ajinkya Rahane gets another opportunity at Old Trafford.
England, by contrast, have lost six of their last nine Tests. James Anderson and Ollie Robinson have managed to make inroads in India’s batting but have lacked support from the batters. Captain Joe Root has been the only shining star in what has been a bleak batting performance from the English batting unit thus far.
England vs India 2021: Match Details
When: England vs India, 5th Test, September 10-14, 11:00 Local; 15:30 IST
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
Pitch Report
The wicket in Manchester has assisted spinners throughout The Hundred competition. It is expected to remain the same in the upcoming Test and can take more beating with scattered showers expected throughout the Test match.
Predicted Playing XI
India: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
We've named a 16-player squad for the fifth LV= Insurance Test match against India 🏏
🏴 #ENGvIND 🇮🇳
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2021
England: Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, James Anderson
England vs India – 5th Test – Fantasy Tips
Fantasy Suggestion 1: Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Haseeb Hameed, Chris Woakes (vc), Moeen Ali, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Ollie Edward Robinson, James Anderson
Fantasy Suggestion 2: Jonny Bairstow, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Joe Root (c), KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Chris Woakes, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur (vc), Ollie Edward Robinson, Craig Overton
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