Slow rank turner pitch to be served to the England team expecting homely conditions in Dharamsala for the 5th Test against India

Team India and England will be taking on each other in the fifth and final Test at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. The final game of the five-match series is scheduled to be played on March 7.

The hosts have already sealed the five-match series with a game to go. The visitors won the first Test by 28 runs before the hosts bounced back in style to win the following three games. The Rohit Sharma-led side won the second Test by 106 runs before winning the third and fourth Tests by 434 runs and five wickets respectively.

With momentum firmly on their side, the hosts will be keen to extend their winning run. They are currently at the top of the ICC World Test Championship points table and a win in Dharamsala will further strengthen their position.

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Pitch for the fifth India vs England Test:

While it is expected that the England team might get friendly conditions in Dharamsala, they could be in for a big surprise. According to a report in the Indian Express, the pitch for the fifth IND vs ENG Test is likely to be a slow turner. The news outlet described the pitch as ‘a blank sheet of brown paper’.

The slow turners have helped the hosts turn things around in the series so far and the hosts would be fancying their chances once again. The home side has thoroughly dominated the proceedings in the last two games and would be eyeing another win in Dharamsala.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul is not available for the fifth Test as well, the BCCI confirmed last week. The right-handed batsman has not played since suffering a quadricep strain in the first Test in January. At present, he is in London to consult a specialist. The BCCI also announced that fast-bowler Jasprit Bumrah will link up with the team for the fifth Test after being rested for the fourth game.

With Bumrah available, it will be interesting to see who makes way for him in the playing eleven. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep played in the fourth Test and one of them is likely to be replaced by Bumrah. While Siraj is expected to retain his place in the team, the team-management will have a hard time dropping Akash Deep after his impressive debut in the fourth Test.

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