England vs India – 5th Test Match Preview and Prediction
India’s roller-coaster ride in test cricket continues. It was yet another magnificent performance from them, as they took a crucial 2-1 lead in the five-match series. They have been the more dominant of the two teams and will be eager to play the series finale.
But make no mistake. England has been there or thereabouts, and their battling spirit has been excellent. As they have previously seen, they are more than capable of bouncing back after surrendering the lead.
The series is fully prepared for the last match of the five-match series, which will be contested at Manchester’s Old Trafford Cricket Ground. The match will begin on September 10, 2021, and like we have seen in the past, it will be another exciting fight. Don’t take your gaze away from this one.
Match Details to Note
Series: England vs India, India tour of England, 2021
Date: September 10-14, 2021 (Friday-Tuesday)
Time: 03:30 PM (IST)
Venue: Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester
England vs India Team Previews
England
Team England has not performed as poorly as the score implies, but they have clearly missed to capitalize on key situations. They also frequently handed away advantageous situations in the fourth match and had to pay the price. Given their position at one point, it would not be incorrect to argue that England grabbed defeat from the jaws of triumph.
For the first time in a long time, England’s opening partnership appears to be performing well, complementing Joe Root superbly in the previous two tests. Dawid Malan, on the other hand, has been among the runs and will be hoping for a huge one in the forthcoming game.
We anticipate Jos Buttler to return to the lineup, and considering the performance of Ollie Pope in the previous encounter, we may see Jonny Bairstow sit out. England would also be unhappy with Moeen Ali’s batting performance in the tournament thus far. He’s had plenty of chances and starts, but he’s squandered them all. The manner in which he was dismissed in the first innings of the last test very much reveals the entire tale.
England has been good with the ball, but they had to work hard in the last encounter since the surface provided little assistance. Because there hasn’t been much of a break between the two tests, tiredness may be a concern for the English bowlers as well. James Anderson has had strong backing from the likes of Robinson, Woakes, and Overton, but their bowling assault appears to be one-dimensional. Mark Wood might be called in to replace Overton in the upcoming game.
England Test Squad
Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root(c), Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler(w), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Daniel Lawrence, Sam Curran
Jos Buttler should return to the England starting lineup, with one of Jonny Bairstow or Moeen Ali likely to miss out. Jack Leach may take over for a tired James Anderson. Mark Wood, in place of Craig Overton or Anderson, should also return to the team.
Predicted XI: Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (C), Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler(WK), Jonny Bairstow/ Moeen Ali, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton/ Mark Wood, and James Anderson/Jack Leach
India
The discussions that were going on after India surrendered a 99-run lead in the fourth match have mysteriously gone. Ravi Ashwin was the primary discussion point leading up to and during the fourth match, but with Ravi Jadeja and other Indian seamers playing well, India’s bowling appears to be settled. Having said that, Ashwin is still a possibility. According to sources, if the circumstances are ideal for spinners, he may enter the field ahead of Mohammad Siraj.
Regardless of squad selection or other difficulties, India has performed admirably when put to the test. We saw something similar happen at the Oval earlier this year in Australia. They have not only battled hard in previous tests, but they have also consistently come out on top.
Even though India won the fourth test and took many positives from the game, the holes in their performance cannot be overlooked. The good news is that Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli looked sharp in the second innings. However, Ajinkya Rahane’s form is under scrutiny, and we might see Suryakumar Yadav or Hanuma Vihari replace him in the forthcoming game.
On the bowling department, India performed admirably, but with the amount of tests left before the World Cup, they may rest Jasprit Bumrah and bring back Mohammad Shami for the last test. However, only time will tell. Jadeja, who was chastised for his poor ball-handling, is almost certain to keep his spot, unless there are any injuries.
Overall, India may have some selection issues, but as a team, they appear to be a danger. They now have momentum, and with batsmen returning to form, defeating them will be extremely difficult, even for the hosts.
India Test Squad
Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant(w); Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha; Ravichandran Ashwin, Mayank Agarwal, Suryakumar Yadav, Hanuma Vihari, Axar Patel, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Prithvi Shaw
Despite Ajinkya Rahane’s dismal showing in this series, India are unlikely to rest him for this crucial match. Their starting lineup for the fifth Test should remain the same. In Manchester, India might field Ravichandran Ashwin in lieu of Mohammed Siraj. If he’s healthy, Mohammed Shami may potentially return to the starting lineup. Shardul Thakur’s all-around ability should get him a starting berth.
Predicted XI: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK); Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin/ Mohammed Shami; Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj/ Umesh Yadav.
England vs India Toss Prediction
We anticipate that both captains would bowl first on this course if they win the toss, given cloudy conditions are forecast for Day 1. However, chasing the target in the fourth innings may be difficult, and they may choose to bat if the weather is clear and sunny.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The Old Trafford wicket should wear down as the game progresses, with spinners more likely to be involved than at any other site. The opening innings should be the optimum period for both teams to bat; with the characteristics of the surface balancing out as the game develops. After winning the toss, captains should try to bat first.
The fifth Test is likely to be delayed by weather, with showers predicted throughout the first three days. The average temperature should be approximately 19 degrees Celsius, with drier conditions expected during the contest.
England vs India Match Prediction
Even though the World Test Championship points are no longer determined by the series outcome; both teams will try to prevent the other from winning the forthcoming match. Despite winning the last match, India still has a lot of work to do. England, on the other hand, has its own set of issues. India has definitely been the more dominant team in the series thus far, and they have the upper hand heading into the following match. When comparing the two teams based on form and on-paper pairings, betting on India to win should be the way to go here.
India is the favourite to win this match and the series.
