Which side will win the 5-match Test series between India and England (2024)?

[Red-Indian]

Last test can't be played at a spinning track. It'll surely aid seamers as it always has.

Yeah you can't really change Dharamshala that much. If it was in the summer maybe but right now there's nowhere near enough sun. Ranchi's not going to be a raging turner either I think. Doesn't have that reputation even at the Ranji level. India usually like to give themselves the turning pitched early in the series to demoralise the opposition and leave the more sporting wickets for later by which time Visitors have usually given up the ghost.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Two more tests to go. Let us see how it pans out. Bowlers must be tired by now. The long break was good for them between 2nd and 3rd test. But between 3rd and 4th not much break. England has bowled 228 overs in 4 days of cricket. Anderson bowled 38 overs in 4 days. Wood 38 overs in 4 days. About 9 overs a day. 3 overs per session. plus fielding for 228 overs. Physical factors will come into play. I am sure it will affect India as well. But India bowled only 110 overs in all. This will play a subtle role for sure.

 

[Ab Fan]

Will they pick Mukesh again or Axar as replacement for Bumrah?

 

[Buffet]

Eng should capitalize on Bumrah being rested. He was the difference between two sides in 2nd test.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Looks like the Ben Stokes undefeated streak coming to an end
===

Ben Stokes' desperate last-ditch move to end England's woes as all-rounder considers ending 8-month long hiatus​

England have squandered a 1-0 lead in their ongoing five-match Test series in India after losing the second and third Tests. While the second Test in Visakhapatnam was a thriller and England were lauded for the way they fought, the visitors have copped a lot of criticism for the way they capitulated in the third. England lost the match in Rajkot by 434 runs, the highest margin of victory by runs for India in their Test history.

Ben Stokes has not bowled since June last year

A defeat in the fourth Test in Ranchi would confirm a series victory for India and it looks like England captain Ben Stokes is ready to go pull out all stops to ensure his team stay in the series, even if that means an ahead-of-schedule return to bowling.

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"I'm not saying yes, I'm not saying no. Me being me, I'm always very optimistic about most things. That will be a more detailed chat with the medical team about what workload I have done to pass me off as not being a massive risk," Stokes said about bowling in the fourth Test. The 32-year-old is recovering from a knee surgery and had earlier said that he had made a "pinky-promise" to his physiotherapist that he would not bowl through this series. However, Stokes said that progress on his return to bowling full-time in Test matches has been "a lot faster than I thought (it) would".

During the Rajkot Test, Stokes had even trained at 100 per cent intensity and conceded that he felt pretty good. "I managed to bowl at 100 per cent in one of the warm-up days here which made me feel pretty good. I felt like I could have bowled in the game but that would have been stupid."

Stokes being able to bowl will be a huge positive for England's balance in their bowling lineup. The visitors came in with a spin attack woefully lacking in experience. While Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir ended up matching the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja almost toe to toe, even surpassing them, in the first two Tests, they were largely taken to the cleaners in the third. Moreover, England have also needed to drop one of their spinners when they needed to bring in a second pacer, leaving out Bashir to play both Mark Wood and James Anderson in Rajkot.

Source: NDTV

 

[BouncerGuy]

With just 2 games remaining in the series and England losing so far by 1-2, I want England to win the next game to make the series decider an interesting game to watch as a cricket fan. It will get boring if England loses the 4th game. Least they could do is to draw the game.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg, advocating for upholding the umpire's call in DRS, responded to England skipper Ben Stokes' call for its removal, particularly referencing Zak Crawley's recent LBW dismissal controversy. Hogg shared his perspective on this matter in a video on his YouTube channel:

"For me, the more I think about it, the more I feel umpires call should be in there because the technology is slightly wrong. I understand it might have cost England at some important stage, but it could cost the opposition too. Stop whingeing about the DRS. It's the same for both sides."

 

[FearlessRoar]

In his column for a local media outlet, former England cricket team skipper Michael Vaughan highlighted that England might feel decisions went against them, but they allowed the game to slip away in both Rajkot and Ranchi after promising starts:

"I think England have done a bit too much moaning about it in this series. Yes, there have been a couple of strange-looking decisions. Ollie Pope has had a couple of LBWs in the first innings in the last two Tests. Zak Crawley has had a couple too, the one where Kuldeep Yadav trapped him leg-before in Vizag, and the one in Rajkot that saw the match referee seek out Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum to explain that there had been a little error in the pictures shown on screen."

"I understand how in the high-pressure environment of a massive Test series the world can feel like it's against you, but it's not why England are in the situation they find themselves in in this game or this series. That is because, just like in Rajkot, on moving day, day three, they let the game slip. They need to think long and hard about why that is happening, and it is really not because of DRS, even if Joe Root is a very important player and his decision today was very marginal."

 

[jnaveen1980]

In subcontinent conditions leg before scenarios are very high. So there will be a lot of umpire's call. It is the same for both teams. People have to suck it up and move on.

 

[deltexas]

Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg, advocating for upholding the umpire's call in DRS, responded to England skipper Ben Stokes' call for its removal, particularly referencing Zak Crawley's recent LBW dismissal controversy. Hogg shared his perspective on this matter in a video on his YouTube channel:

"For me, the more I think about it, the more I feel umpires call should be in there because the technology is slightly wrong. I understand it might have cost England at some important stage, but it could cost the opposition too. Stop whingeing about the DRS. It's the same for both sides."

This i exactly what DRS is all about ! Hogg is totally right.. Stokes for all the great cricketer is his ( and I am a big fan of his btw) -- is whining and moaning about this like sourgrapes cry baby. He should get on with the game

 

[uppercut]

In subcontinent conditions leg before scenarios are very high. So there will be a lot of umpire's call. It is the same for both teams. People have to suck it up and move on.

Technically it is but in reality it is not. Example ... a few top order batsmen getting marginal calls versus a tail ender getting on the wrong side of the umpires call is not the same. Similarly one critical mistake at a crucial point in the match can wreck the entire match ( Andrew Symonds circa 2008 !! ) ... therefore in the best interest of making the most impartial decision it is better to rely entirely on technology. The current implementation of DRS seems to have been crafted to allow for umpires to save face rather than arrive at a correct decision.

The more you watch Cricket under all sorts of conditions the more we come to the conclusion that the LBW decision is best left for the Technology to decide as there are soo many things to consider before making a split second decision.​

 

[giri26]

Technically it is but in reality it is not. Example ... a few top order batsmen getting marginal calls versus a tail ender getting on the wrong side of the umpires call is not the same. Similarly one critical mistake at a crucial point in the match can wreck the entire match ( Andrew Symonds circa 2008 !! ) ... therefore in the best interest of making the most impartial decision it is better to rely entirely on technology. The current implementation of DRS seems to have been crafted to allow for umpires to save face rather than arrive at a correct decision.

The more you watch Cricket under all sorts of conditions the more we come to the conclusion that the LBW decision is best left for the Technology to decide as there are soo many things to consider before making a split second decision.​

It is also the fact that DRS is not 100% correct and that's the reason for umpire's call which is similar to benefit of doubt before the technology. The benefit of doubt only favoured the batters in the past but now it is for the bowlers as well. And like what Michael Vaughan said last evening that if we make it simple by giving out anything that brushes the stumps, Test matches will be over in 2 days. That is a fact as well, without umpire's call we will have everything brushing the stumps given out and which means teams will be bowled out in a session on tough pitches where everything hitting the pads might be given out in line of the stumps.

Unless they can make Technology more reliable (Which in cricket I don't think is possible) we need to take what is available with the flaws. People are talking about it because England is complaining and India is the other team. The narrative is almost as India never received any line calls in this series. India have had their fair share of umpire's calls given out as well even in this game. The only difference is that Rohit did not cry about it in the media and Stokes is.

Just in this innings:

Shubman Gill - Umpire's call on impact
Rajat Patidar - Umpires call hitting the stumps
Ravi Ashwin - Umpires call hitting the stumps
Akash Deep - Umpire's call as well

Crucial dismissals especially Gill who had gotten off to a start and has been in good form for India. India were 86/1 when that call came and after that India collapsed. Rohit did not cry about it in the media so all the narrative by the English media makes people believe that India did not receive any line calls and England have been wronged.

 

[Buffet]

It is also the fact that DRS is not 100% correct and that's the reason for umpire's call which is similar to benefit of doubt before the technology. The benefit of doubt only favoured the batters in the past but now it is for the bowlers as well. And like what Michael Vaughan said last evening that if we make it simple by giving out anything that brushes the stumps, Test matches will be over in 2 days. That is a fact as well, without umpire's call we will have everything brushing the stumps given out and which means teams will be bowled out in a session on tough pitches where everything hitting the pads might be given out in line of the stumps.

Unless they can make Technology more reliable (Which in cricket I don't think is possible) we need to take what is available with the flaws. People are talking about it because England is complaining and India is the other team. The narrative is almost as India never received any line calls in this series. India have had their fair share of umpire's calls given out as well even in this game. The only difference is that Rohit did not cry about it in the media and Stokes is.

Just in this innings:

Shubman Gill - Umpire's call on impact
Rajat Patidar - Umpires call hitting the stumps
Ravi Ashwin - Umpires call hitting the stumps
Akash Deep - Umpire's call as well

Crucial dismissals especially Gill who had gotten off to a start and has been in good form for India. India were 86/1 when that call came and after that India collapsed. Rohit did not cry about it in the media so all the narrative by the English media makes people believe that India did not receive any line calls and England have been wronged.

How about just sticking to when more than half the ball is hitting the stumps and not using an umpire call?

It will be consistent and we don't have human judgment in play. This also does not make the test finish in 2 days.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

England missed the plot after winning the first game they could have had a better chance to win this series but I must appreciate the comeback of India here they never provided any further chance to England.

 

[uppercut]

It is also the fact that DRS is not 100% correct and that's the reason for umpire's call which is similar to benefit of doubt before the technology. The benefit of doubt only favoured the batters in the past but now it is for the bowlers as well. And like what Michael Vaughan said last evening that if we make it simple by giving out anything that brushes the stumps, Test matches will be over in 2 days. That is a fact as well, without umpire's call we will have everything brushing the stumps given out and which means teams will be bowled out in a session on tough pitches where everything hitting the pads might be given out in line of the stumps.

Thats just a gross exaggeration by vested interests to peddle their narrative ... for a testmatch to end in under 2 days you will need pitches like those in SA. However DRS has dramatically changed the LBW landscape for good.

Unless they can make Technology more reliable (Which in cricket I don't think is possible) we need to take what is available with the flaws. People are talking about it because England is complaining and India is the other team. The narrative is almost as India never received any line calls in this series. India have had their fair share of umpire's calls given out as well even in this game. The only difference is that Rohit did not cry about it in the media and Stokes is.

Just in this innings:

Shubman Gill - Umpire's call on impact
Rajat Patidar - Umpires call hitting the stumps
Ravi Ashwin - Umpires call hitting the stumps
Akash Deep - Umpire's call as well

Crucial dismissals especially Gill who had gotten off to a start and has been in good form for India. India were 86/1 when that call came and after that India collapsed. Rohit did not cry about it in the media so all the narrative by the English media makes people believe that India did not receive any line calls and England have been wronged.

Agreed but its a lot better to rely on Technology than to rely on umpires. Here I agree with @Buffet ... the only thing I would like to add to that is it need not be half a ball hitting stumps or impact lines. Whatever is the % of ball hitting that is agreed upon would be the same for both teams. Its not like HE gets re-calibrated at the end of each day or innings. It will be consistent throughout the test match and therefore it will produce the most merit based impartial outcome to each and every test match.

​

 

[giri26]

Thats just a gross exaggeration by vested interests to peddle their narrative ... for a testmatch to end in under 2 days you will need pitches like those in SA. However DRS has dramatically changed the LBW landscape for good.

Agreed but its a lot better to rely on Technology than to rely on umpires. Here I agree with @Buffet ... the only thing I would like to add to that is it need not be half a ball hitting stumps or impact lines. Whatever is the % of ball hitting that is agreed upon would be the same for both teams. Its not like HE gets re-calibrated at the end of each day or innings. It will be consistent throughout the test match and therefore it will produce the most merit based impartial outcome to each and every test match.

​

I think we are not relying on the umpires. Umpire's calls are basically borderline calls which can either be out or not out. Technology was always brought into cricket to avoid howlers. If they can bring another solution like percentage of the ball hitting stumps then so be it. Once again that will be questioned as well when it starts going against a particular team. Teams need to accept DRS is never going to be perfect, no matter what method we use. Batters can think something and the camera and tech will say something else. It will be interesting to see what changes all this whinging by English players/fans/press is going to bring in DRS rules.

 

[Vikram1989]

Availability still unclear as KL sent to London for treatment

Jasprit Bumrah is likely to return for the final Test after having been rested at Ranchi

www.cricbuzz.com

Seems kl may not be available for next test too.As per other media reports, Rohit may take rest and padikkal may play as opener to allow Mr 360 another chance.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Lucky that youngsters stepped up. This series could have gone south had they failed like Patidar, Bharat.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I guess England has missed the chance to make this series in their favor or do better than they did. I could have been 2-3 or even 3-2 but I guess it will be 1-4 India now.

 

[AMSS]

Hopefully Bumrah plays here. WTC points are at stake so by no means a dead rubber. What would Rohit be taking a rest for?

 

[jnaveen1980]

Hopefully Bumrah plays here. WTC points are at stake so by no means a dead rubber. What would Rohit be taking a rest for?

India had opportunity to test youngsters in so many series like west indies/bangladesh. But they have chosen this series.

 

[Vikram1989]

Hopefully Bumrah plays here. WTC points are at stake so by no means a dead rubber. What would Rohit be taking a rest for?

I don't think that guy is fit.He wants to save himself for ipl.and t20 wc.even reports are suggesting a bowler may take rest. I am not sure who it is. May be jaddu I guess

 

[U$ofA]

Hopefully Bumrah plays here. WTC points are at stake so by no means a dead rubber. What would Rohit be taking a rest for?

I am sure Bumrah's main employer, Mumbai Indians would have him sit this one out. Have him well rested for the upcoming season. Sharma could sit out for the same reason too.

Take a break before reporting for pre-season camp. I am sure they all have to report to their teams 2 weeks in advance of the start of IPL season.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Squad Updates: 5th Test – Dharamsala

Mr. KL Rahul, whose participation in the final IDFC First Bank Test was subject to fitness, has been ruled out of the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring him and coordinating with specialists in London for further management of his issue.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jasprit Bumrah who was released from the squad for the 4th Test in Ranchi, will link-up with the squad in Dharamsala for the 5th Test.

Mr. Washington Sundar has been released from the squad. He will join Tamil Nadu – his Ranji Trophy side – for their Ranji Trophy Semi-final fixture against Mumbai, starting March 2nd, 2024. He will join the India squad after the completion of the domestic fixture for the fifth Test, if need be.

Note: Mohd. Shami successfully underwent a surgery on 26th February, 2024 for his right heel problem. He is recovering well and will soon head to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to commence his rehabilitation process.

India’s updated squad for the 5th Test: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep.

JAY SHAH

Honorary Secretary

BCCI

 

[AMSS]

Nice to see Boom back. Also nice to see no nonsense like rest for Rohit/Shubman etc were entertained.

 

[AMSS]

I am sure Bumrah's main employer, Mumbai Indians would have him sit this one out. Have him well rested for the upcoming season. Sharma could sit out for the same reason too.

Take a break before reporting for pre-season camp. I am sure they all have to report to their teams 2 weeks in advance of the start of IPL season.

Looks like MI are not Bumrah's main employer after all?

 

[FearlessRoar]

England's spinners, who have shone after their emergence on the tour of India, are likely to find themselves as second choice at their counties.Brendon McCullum spoke to a Podcast:

"It will be a slight frustration of ours if they [Hartley and Bashir] weren't given opportunities at county level."

"There's a very real possibility that might be the case, but without wanting to dictate to counties because they have their own agendas as well, when you see performances like we have, you'd be slightly mad if you didn't give them more opportunities in county cricket."

 

[Croma]

Squad Updates: 5th Test – Dharamsala

Mr. Washington Sundar has been released from the squad. He will join Tamil Nadu – his Ranji Trophy side – for their Ranji Trophy Semi-final fixture against Mumbai, starting March 2nd, 2024. He will join the India squad after the completion of the domestic fixture for the fifth Test, if need be.


JAY SHAH

Honorary Secretary

BCCI

Sad news for me to see Washington not get a game. Unlucky to be playin at the same time as Ash/Jad/Kul/Axar.
I hope to see Padikkal play in place of walking wicket Rajat.

If Rajat does manage to play, I request England to let their bowlers bowl with left hand and field only 5 fielders so that Rajat can score a 50.

 

[jnaveen1980]

England's spinners, who have shone after their emergence on the tour of India, are likely to find themselves as second choice at their counties.Brendon McCullum spoke to a Podcast:

"It will be a slight frustration of ours if they [Hartley and Bashir] weren't given opportunities at county level."

"There's a very real possibility that might be the case, but without wanting to dictate to counties because they have their own agendas as well, when you see performances like we have, you'd be slightly mad if you didn't give them more opportunities in county cricket."

The season they play doesn't allow them to use many spinners. Most of them use a token spinner. Neither pitch nor the ball allow them to flourish with ball.

 

[BouncerGuy]

news for me to see Washington not get a game. Unlucky to be playin at the same time as Ash/Jad/Kul/Axar.

Yeah, you are right. In the presence of Jadeja and Ashwin, his inclusion seems far from possible. He might be equally good but Jadeja, ashwin will always be the first choice. It is good that he has been released so that he can go and play ranji trophy games if he can instead of wasting time on the bench.

 

[FearlessRoar]

AB de Villiers explains why India can back Rajat Patidar in 5th Test, he said in a video on his YouTube channel:

"Rajat Patidar not having the series of a lifetime or one to remember. But the good thing about this Indian team and the culture is that you will survive in that side because of the great cricket they are playing and the results coming their way. If his attitude is catchy and if he is a likable character in the dressing room, Rohit and the selection panel will have the ability to say, Hold on, we do believe this guy has a future and we see him as a part of the team moving forward. Even though he hasn't been scoring runs, let's give him a longer run."

 

[FearlessRoar]

Former England captain Michael Vaughan opines that the Ben Stokes-led team has encountered setbacks in their last three series primarily due to the underperformance of its batting lineup. He wrote in his column in a local magazine:

"It's a huge week for several of England's batsmen. When we think of this England team, we think of their wonderfully dynamic batting. But when you look at why they haven't won any of their last three series, it's down to the batting."

"There never seems to be much scrutiny or noise around England's batsmen. Even last week I chuckled. They lost in Ranchi in large part because they didn't bat well enough, but there was lots of finger-pointing at Ollie Robinson, a bowler who scored an important half-century!"

"He looked well short of a gallop with the ball and dropped a catch, but I thought it was ironic 'batsmen v bowlers' stuff."

"The whole batting lineup has known week in, week out on this tour that it will be playing the next game. That is about to change because after this tour Harry Brook will be back."

"He has to bat at No. 5 because he should be the bedrock of their batting with Joe Root. Does that mean England's statement moment is coming? Consistency of selection is such a fine balance in team sports."

"Making people comfortable is right, and England have generally batted well over the last two years.There comes a point, though, where when it's your batting that is costing you the biggest series you can't keep sending the same guys out there every week."

"I also look at the 'keeper, Ben Foakes. He has kept magnificently in India, but I get the sense that he's not in the inner circle with this setup and that his batting still doesn't suit them.The last Test was a good example: he is great in partnership with a batsman, but struggles kicking on with the tail."

"Once again, his batting might not be enough however good his keeping is. England could give the gloves back to Bairstow at No. 7, where his batting is more dangerous, or they could look elsewhere. They've got a strong crop of young keeper-batsmen coming through, like (the other) Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith and James Rew."

"Overall, as a batting unit England have seemed in need of a reminder that Test cricket is a two-innings game.They have consistently been batting well in one, then screwing up the other."

"In times gone by, being ahead on first innings just about won you the game, but teams fear chasing less now and can turn games around more easily. Ultimately, the game is about winning and England are struggling to do that against the very best sides."

 

[FearlessRoar]

No England batter is averaging 50+ against India in the ongoing Test series.

Bazball or not, India is one of the toughest places for visiting teams to play in Tests.

 

[FearlessRoar]

India have managed seven hundreds and 13 half-centuries in the series, while the numbers for England are three and six. The series scoreline, likely to be 4-1, doesn’t lie.

 

[Ab Fan]

3 centuries in 5 match test series on good batting pitches is really poor for England. Their batting has been a problem for long time and when Root doesn't perform, it gets exposed pretty badly.

In the home series vs India last time, Root got 4 hundreds and scored like 700 runs that allowed England to level the series 2-2. It only proves that England batting is all but Root and he seems to be past his best.

 

[FearlessRoar]

England offspinner-allrounder Moeen Ali, during an interview with a sports channel, said:

"They have done really well. It's not easy. India is a very difficult place. I know the wickets have spun nicely, still they have carried their own. I thought Hartley did really well in the first game. No matter what wicket, on debut, under pressure, the way he has battled is really, really good."

"This is a very inexperienced bowling attack. It is not even experienced in domestic cricket. You have to give them a lot of credit. They have kept England in the games. They bowled well. Hartley bowled really well in the first game. Bashir bowled really well today [day two in Ranchi]. Rehan hasn't taken wickets but he has learned a lot. I think he has changed the way he bowled in red-ball cricket. They have done an excellent job. People don't realise how hard it is against such good players of spin."

 

[jnaveen1980]

One of the major issue that England facing under Root's team was collapses. They even massively collapsed against Ireland in an innings before bowlers bailing them out. On evidence from the current tour that problem has returned. So many dramatic collapses.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Well I was expecting a 5-0 but it's more than a miracle that England was able to win a single match.