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India have frittered away opportunities and lost the series 1-3 and the disappointment is palpable among the fans who had made elaborate preparations to be at the venue through the weekend, shouting for the team that they truly care for staying so far away from home.
The Indian contingent though, isn't that downcast. Or even if they are, it's not showing. Virat Kohli's boys see this Test as an opportunity to win a few brownie points and go home with a sense of victory at least in public memory. They did it successfully in Johannesburg a few months back.
But England will come harder than South Africa. For them, it's a chance to give their former captain Alastair Cook a farewell that he deserves after 12 successful years in cricket. While Cook finishes his journey here, this Test is set to mark the beginning of the road for Andhra middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari, who bowls a bit of off-spin.
Vihari is set to come in place of Hardik Pandya, who hasn't done much with the bat in this series. The fact that Vihari bowls a bit of off-spin may also have worked in his favour as premier offie R Ashwin is struggling with a groin injury and is unlikely to be fit for the Test.
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It could also mean that the door will open for Ravindra Jadeja, who bowled quite a lot in the nets and many felt he should have been part of the XI at the Ageas Bowl as well.
Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane refused to divulge team news saying journalists are intelligent enough to make their own guesses, but he did say that this match is important from an Indian point of view. "Every game is equally important, we want to give our best and end on a winning note. It's true that England played better than us and won sessions that made the difference, but we want to go back on a high," Rahane said.
It's true that there's a sense of intent in the way the Indian team is dealing with the game. The entire top-six, which includes Vihari, had quite a long stint in the middle on Thursday after a rigorous session the day before.
The pitch has a bit of green on it and England, too, aren't taking anything for granted. While captain Joe Root said that winning a series 4-1 against the top-ranked country in the world will be a statement in itself, the fact that it's Cook's last Test also adds to the motivation factor of the players. "It acts as a great motivator for the group. The whole dressing-room will be desperate to do everything they can to give him a great send off," Root said.
England are also looking to try out Moeen Ali as No. 3, a tactical change that they had made in the second innings of the fourth Test. Root himself enjoys batting at No. 4 and that's why he was desperate to find a decent No. 3 who could do the job for him. The fact that Moeen batted well recently at No. 3 for Worcestershire in the County championship made the English team management take that call. "It gives us the best chance of winning this game. And with the winter coming up it might be the way to go. I think he thoroughly deserves the opportunity," Root said, giving the indication that he wants to see Moeen as a long-time solution for the No. 3 slot.
While India are looking to have two spin bowling options for the first time in the series, Root, too, didn't fall for the temptation of cutting down on a spinner to get Chris Woakes in. While Adil Rashid will retain his place in the XI, Jonny Bairstow will get the gloves back from Jos Buttler.
With Root getting the team that he wanted, it's going to be quite a battle for India to earn that consolation that they are desperately looking for.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com
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