India vs England
India vs England (Image Credit: Twitter)

India vs England Match Preview- 5th Test, IND tour of ENG 2022. India came back strongly from a 99-run deficit to win the 4th Test match comfortably by massive 151 runs last time these two teams met in September 2021 for the fourth Test match. The Indian team was all over England and looked all set to win the Test series in English conditions, but the last Test was rescheduled due to Covid-19 with India leading the series 2-1.

India vs England, Fourth Test at London
India vs England, Fourth Test at London Image Source: Twitter

A lot has changed from that Test with new captains in charge for both teams. England has found new energy and enthusiasm with Brenon McCullum- Ben Stokes duo that steered them to a scintillating 3-1 series win over New Zealand. India on the other hand has made a few changes to their batting line-up and is looking to find their best possible XI that could give them the balance and depth here.

India vs England Match Preview- 5th Test, IND tour of ENG 2022

England’s middle order of Joe Root (2 centuries & 1 fifty), Jonny Bairstow (2 centuries & 1 fifty), and Ollie Pope (1 century & 1 fifty) piled on the runs in the last home series against New Zealand recently. Newly-appointed skipper Ben Stokes (2 fifties) and Alex Lees (1 fifty) fared better and made valuable contributions to the team. Zak Crawley’s form and Ben Foakes’ availability are their concerns going into this Test match.

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James Anderson and Stuart Broad
James Anderson and Stuart Broad (Image Credits: Twitter)

The duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad re-joined together as they miss a plethora of fast bowlers due to injury. Newcomers Matty Potts and Jamie Overton were very impressive in their debut series and will be looking to get into action in this match. Jack Leach comes into this match on the back of his twin 5-wicket haul and 10-wicket match haul into this match.

India`s batting line-up has a couple of puzzles to solve in their selection and skipper Rohit Sharma’s availability after he tested Covid-19 positive further causes concern to the visitors. Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer are the sure-shot players in the XI with Cheteshwar Pujara expected to get the nod ahead at No.3. The likes of Hanuma Vihari, Mayank Agarwal, or KS Bharat might slot in at the top if Rohit Sharma is unavailable.

Jasprit Bumrah Rohit Sharma
Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma. (Photo: Twitter)

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are expected to lead the Indian pace attack with Shardul Thakur expected to slot in as the pace all-rounder. Mohammed Siraj might slightly pip Umesh Yadav for the third seamer’s spot in this match. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin will be in a tussle for the spinner’s slot and the former might get a nod in owing to his superior batting skills.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma is reportedly ruled out of the fifth and final rescheduled Test match against England beginning on 1 July 2022 (Friday) at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. Just a few days back, Rohit Sharma tested positive for COVID-19 during the warm-up Test match against Leicestershire and was placed into strict isolation. India has a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series against England.

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It is also understood that right-arm speedster Jasprit Bumrah will captain the Indian Test side against England in the absence of Rohit Sharma. This is the first time in 35 years that a fast bowler will lead the Indian Test team after former legendary cricketer Kapil Dev.

If India clinches a win or manages a draw in this Test, then this would be the fourth time where the Asian side will win a Test series in England. The side has won a Test series in England in 1971, 1986, and 2007 before this.