Cricket

India's skipper Rohit Sharma arrived in Dharamsala on Tuesday, marking the commencement of preparations for the fifth and final Test against England. The match, scheduled to take place at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium from March 7, will conclude the five-match series, which India currently leads 3-1.Rohit, accompanied by his wife, had previously attended the pre-wedding festivities of Mukesh Ambani's son in Jamnagar. Both the Indian and English teams arrived in Dharamsala on Sunday.Despite losing the opening match of the series, India rallied with consecutive victories in Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, and Ranchi to secure the series win. India's dominance is reflected in their top ranking in the World Test Championship standings, while England languishes in eighth place.The final Test will witness the return of India's pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the series-clinching victory in Ranchi. The Indian squad for the Dharamsala Test includes:* Rohit Sharma (captain)* Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Shubman Gill* Rajat Patidar* Sarfaraz Khan* Dhruv Jurel (wicket-keeper)* KS Bharat (wicket-keeper)* Devdutt Padikkal* R Ashwin* Ravindra Jadeja* Axar Patel* Kuldeep Yadav* Mohammed Siraj* Mukesh Kumar* Akash Deep

India's emphatic series victory over England in Ranchi takes on a new dimension when considering the contrasting weather conditions between Ranchi and Dharamsala, the venue for the fifth and final Test. With the hosts securing an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, the Dharamsala match holds significance primarily for World Test Championship (WTC) points.Had the series been poised at 2-1 or 2-2 heading into the fifth Test, England would have harbored hopes of triumphing or sharing the trophy in the familiar conditions of chilly, rainy Dharamsala. However, India's dominance in the previous three Tests has effectively extinguished those aspirations.India's ascent to the top of the WTC table, following Australia's victory over New Zealand in Wellington, further underscores the significance of the Dharamsala Test. The weather forecast for the morning of March 7, when the match is scheduled to commence, paints a stark contrast to the conditions in Ranchi.Temperatures in Dharamsala are expected to hover around 5 degrees Celsius, with a forecast of "mostly cloudy and cold with a little rain." The afternoon temperature is predicted to reach 7 degrees, dropping to around 4 degrees in the evening.Despite the chilly start, the weather is anticipated to improve over the next four days, with temperatures ranging from 11 to 21 degrees. England, who began the series with a 28-run victory in the first Test, have since suffered three consecutive defeats.India leveled the series with a 106-run win in Visakhapatnam, followed by a massive 434-run victory in Rajkot. The hosts sealed the series with a five-wicket triumph in Ranchi, leaving England with little hope of salvaging the series in Dharamsala.

The highly anticipated fifth and final Test match between India and England is set to commence on March 7 in Dharamsala. Despite India's commanding 3-1 lead in the series, both teams are determined to give it their all in the final encounter.Ahead of the match, a video of batter Shubman Gill undergoing an intense workout at the PCA Stadium in Mohali has surfaced on social media. Gill's dedication and focus are evident as he sprints across the ground, leaving fans impressed.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced updates to India's squad for the Dharamsala Test. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the fourth Test, will make his return to the team. Bumrah has been a formidable force in the series, claiming 17 wickets at an impressive average of 13.64.However, India will be without wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul, who has been ruled out due to an injury. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring his condition and coordinating with specialists in London for further management.Meanwhile, Washington Sundar has been released from the squad to participate in the Ranji Trophy for his domestic side, Tamil Nadu.The updated India squad for the Dharamsala Test includes:* Rohit Sharma (capt)* Jasprit Bumrah (vice-capt)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Shubman Gill* Rajat Patidar* Sarfaraz Khan* Dhruv Jurel (wk)* KS Bharat (wk)* Devdutt Padikkal* R Ashwin* Ravindra Jadeja* Axar Patel* Kuldeep Yadav* Mohammed Siraj* Mukesh Kumar* Akash DeepAs India aims to maintain its top spot in the World Test Championship points table, England will be eager to salvage some pride in the final match. The clash promises to be an exciting and competitive affair, with both teams determined to end the series on a high note.

The India vs England Test series has been a resounding success for the hosts, who have clinched the series with one match to spare despite missing several key players. The victory is a testament to the depth and resilience of the Indian team, as well as the astute leadership of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid.Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar hailed the team's achievement, emphasizing that it sends a message to those who believe India cannot win without its biggest stars. He recalled the team's triumph in Australia three years ago, when they overcame the absence of several senior players to pull off a historic victory.Gavaskar praised the young players who have stepped up in the absence of the regulars, showcasing their heart and determination. He believes that the team's success is not dependent on individual brilliance but on the collective spirit and teamwork.Credit must also go to Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid for their astute management of the team. They have provided opportunities to young players, encouraged them to play their natural game, and instilled a winning mentality.Former Australia captain Ian Chappell highlighted Rohit Sharma's leadership skills, which he believes are often overlooked. Chappell praised Rohit's ability to handle the numerous personnel changes and the tough loss in the first Test, as well as his match-winning century in the third Test.The series has been a showcase for the talent and potential of India's young players. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Akash Deep, Dhruv Jurel, and Sarfaraz Khan have all impressed with their performances. However, it is the leadership of Rohit Sharma that has been the glue that has held the team together and guided them to victory.

Joe Root's controversial LBW dismissal in the fourth India-England Test in Ranchi has sparked a heated debate over the use of DRS (decision review system). The England camp has vehemently criticized the technology, demanding its abolition, while former skipper Michael Vaughan has labeled Root's dismissal a "shocker."Paul Hawkins, founder of Hawk-Eye, the technology provider for DRS, has hit back at Vaughan's comments, dismissing them as "uneducated." He maintains that the correct decision was made by third umpire Joel Wilson in overturning on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena's call.Hawkins has accused Vaughan of lacking understanding of the technology and its operation. He has urged journalists to be more responsible in their reporting and to ensure factual accuracy.Vaughan, in response, has demanded full transparency from Hawk-Eye, requesting them to demonstrate the exact workings of the system. He believes that this will help dispel any misconceptions and provide a clearer understanding of how DRS operates.The DRS controversy has cast a shadow over the ongoing Test series, which India has already clinched with an unassailable 3-1 lead. The fifth and final game will commence in Dharamsala on March 7.

In the third Test match between India and England, a mix-up between Sarfaraz Khan and Ravindra Jadeja resulted in a controversial run out, sparking discussions among cricket enthusiasts. Sarfaraz Khan, making his Test debut, was playing an impressive innings, reaching a 48-ball half-century, the joint fastest by an Indian debutant in the post-independence era. However, just as he seemed poised for a substantial score, the unfortunate mix-up led to his dismissal.Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers weighed in on the incident, expressing his disappointment in Jadeja's role in the run out. De Villiers noted that Jadeja's body language and subdued celebration after reaching his century reflected his remorse for the error. He commended Jadeja's maturity in taking responsibility and showing empathy for the young batsman.Sarfaraz Khan, in his post-match conference, acknowledged that miscommunication can occur in the game and that run outs are part of the sport. He expressed gratitude for Jadeja's support throughout his innings, particularly during their conversation at lunchtime. Jadeja's guidance helped Sarfaraz overcome his initial nervousness and settle into a comfortable rhythm.Regarding the run out, Sarfaraz revealed that Jadeja had apologized for the miscommunication, and he assured him that it was alright. The incident highlights the challenges and pressures faced by debutants in international cricket, and the importance of experienced players providing support and guidance to help them navigate these moments.