India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will be eyeing a memorable outing in his landmark 100th Test when the unassailable hosts face a fallen England in the finale of what has been a riveting five-match series, here on Thursday.
India maintained their envious record at home by sealing the series in Ranchi and now, they will be looking for another favourable result to extend their lead in World Test Championships standings.
The pitch and the cold weather, that is making the English feel at home, have been the two big talking points going into the game.
The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 10 degrees for the opening two days before rising over the weekend.
The pitch wore a flat look on the eve of the game but the moisture seeped underneath will keep the pacers interested in the early hours of play on all days.
Though traditionally, the venue favours fast bowlers, the role of spinners can’t be discounted and they did play a big part in India’s win over Australia in the one and only Test played here back in 2017.
In the recently held four Ranji Trophy games, the teams were able to score 300 plus on multiple occasions with the highest total of the season being 482 posted by Baroda.
Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow, both of whom will make their 100th Test appearance on Thursday, expressed contrasting views on the surface going the match. Bairstow found the pitch ‘nice’ while Ashwin said both teams will be entering unknown territory considering the cold weather.
India is, however, unlikely to tinker with their bowling combination of two pacers and three spinners.
Jasprit Bumrah will return to bolster the attack with Mohammed Siraj being the second pacer.
Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, who has been able to play only 11 Tests since making a successful debut back here in 2017, will share the duties in the spin department.
