Rohit Sharma inspects the pitch at Dharamsala© AFP
The pitch for the fifth Test match between India and England in Dharamsala starting Thursday is expected to be a slow turner, according to a report by Indian Express. The report claimed that unseasonal rainfall has prevented the ground staff from working on the surface and the curators are expected to have a discussion with the Indian team management regarding the type of pitch that will be ultimately prepared. The Indian spinners have played a major role in ensuring the series win for the hosts and the pitch at Dharamsala is expected to be a slow turner once again with ample support for Rohit Sharma and Co.
Meanwhile, Test cricket will see two players featuring in their 100th game together for only the fourth time when India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and England batter Jonny Bairstow take the field.
The first such occasion was when former England captain Michael Atherton and Alec Stewart reached the landmark against the West Indies at Old Trafford back in 2000.
The second instance involved three players as South Africa’s Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock and Stephen Fleming played their 100th Test in the South Africa-New Zealand game in Centurion in 2006.
The third was Alastair Cook and Michael Clarke in the England-Australia Ashes contest in Perth in 2013.
Ashwin and Bairstow will be representing their respective teams in the fifth and final Test here from Thursday.
It will also mark only the second occasion when two players from the opposing teams will be playing their 100th Test in the same game.
Just a day after the India-England game begins, New Zealand captain Tim Southee and his predecessor Kane Williamson will play their 100th Test together.
(With PTI inputs)
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