India and England are preparing for the fifth Test at the HPCA Stadium, which is expected to start on Thursday, March 7, as they continue their current five-game Test series. The type of pitch that will be used in Dharamshala has been the subject of numerous conversations as the series’ penultimate match draws near.
There was no grass visible on the surface, and even if there was by the time of the game, it would probably have been shaved off due to the city’s recent rains, which prevented the grass from drying up.
According to the HPCA Stadium’s most recent match, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh squared off in a Ranji Trophy match in February 2024. Based on those circumstances, bowlers may benefit from the surface, and hitters should take advantage of Dharamshala’s conditions once they are positioned at the crease.
In addition to periods of rain and hail that have occurred since the Ranji match, Dharamshala has also experienced sun that hasn’t been out long enough to dry the surface. Furthermore, in the fifth Test between India and England, the weather may prove to be a greater obstacle than the surface. According to the projections, rain is a real probability for the first day of the match.
England tour of India 2024, 5th Test Match, India vs England
Venue: HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
Date & Time: Thursday, Mar 07-Mar 11, 9:30 AM
Pitch Report: The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium’s surface usually works in the seamers’ advantage. At this location, pacers frequently receive a fair deal of assistance. However, as the Test goes on, the spinners will be used. Batters that put in a good effort will be rewarded with runs.
PROBABLE PLAYING XI
India:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
England:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson, Shoaib Bashir
