Dharamshala is all set to host the fifth and final IND vs ENG Test match from March 7-11. The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium has hosted only one Test match previously in 2017. Most recently it hosted the India vs New Zealand World Cup semi-final.
The venue has hosted 1 Test match, nine ODIs and 11 T20Is. The venue is at a very high altitude and the cool conditions will provide some relief to the English players after the heat they had to endure in the first three Test matches.
India will be led by Rohit Sharma. He will be relieved with the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested from the fourth Test in Ranchi. Rohit’s Indian teammate will play his 100th Test match in Dharamsala.
There are selection conundrums about Rajat Patidar after his long run of low scores since his Test debut in Vizag. The right-handed batsman scored 17 and 0 in his two innings of the Ranchi Test. While there is talk of him being moved to the bench, Indian cricket experts want the management to give him “another test”.
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England will be managed by Ben Stokes. This has been a historic series of tests for the team under him. This is the first time the team has lost a test series with him.
Also, this is the first time that England had three consecutive Test matches under his leadership. There is talk of Ollie Robinson being benched in the England camp for Gus Atkinson in Dharamsala.
IND vs ENG Weather Report Live Today & Dharamshala Stadium Pitch Report: 5th Test, 2024
Dharamshala Weather Report
For the last few days it has been raining constantly in Dharamshala. The weather conditions here are completely different from what the players experienced in the previous three test matches. English players will feel much more at home in cold conditions.
The event took a walk through the streets and posted a picture on social media. The constant rain has not given the course curator much time to prepare the course.
Talking about the weather report for the IND vs ENG fifth test, there is an 80 percent chance of rain on day 1 and the temperature will probably be around 10 degrees. Weather conditions will improve a lot over the next three days and there will be plenty of sunshine. However, on the fifth day there will be considerable cloud cover and also a good chance of rain.
Tone Analysis
Historically, the Dharamsala countryside has been a fertile ground for stitching. There is a lot of seam and swing movement for bowlers, especially in Test matches. However, due to the constant rain in Dharamsala, the pitch curator has not had enough time to take a look at the wicket so far.
There are reports that he will talk to the Indian team management before preparing the ground. There are further reports that a range change is expected to be dealt which will be opposite to how the wicket generally looks at the venue.
Impact of weather on the fifth test of IND vs ENG
There is rain on the horizon for day 1 of the Test match. It could even mean a delay in the start given that it has rained a lot in Dharamsala for the past few days. Weather conditions will improve over the next three days and rain is expected on the fifth day. The rain could even be a spoilsport given the state of the weather since last week.
Conclusion
The picturesque venue of Dharamsala provides a unique setting for the fifth IND vs ENG Test. England have all the ingredients to come back from the last Test match and finish the series 3-2. However, inclement weather and rain can play a decisive role in what can be an exciting Test match.
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