IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma undecided on team combination for Dharamshala Test

Prior to the fifth Test against England, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma expressed uncertainty regarding whether the team would opt for two or three seamers in Dharamshala. The 36-year-old added that the conditions are likely to favour the pacers in the initial part of the match but expects the spinners to come in handy during the middle phase. Meanwhile, if India backs three pacers, Kuldeep Yadav is likely to make way for Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested in the fourth Test in Ranchi.

Rohit also believes that the surface in Dharamshala will be a ‘typical Indian pitch’. The skipper stated that he would evaluate the pitch's condition on the day of the match and then finalize the team combination. The Nagpur-born cricketer believes that the weather will play a part in the fifth Test and because of the same, he is unsure if the team should play three pacers or spinners. 

“I've not played a Test match here. The last time we played a Test match here was (in) 2017 - against Australia - and both seamers and spinners were in play, but I'm not too sure. It's a different weather here, and (I don't know) how the pitch is going to react and stuff like that. I don't really know too much about it. But looking at the pitch right now, it looks like a good pitch,” Rohit was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Read More: 'There was a guy called Rishabh Pant in our team' - Rohit Sharma shuts Ben Duckett's controversial claim

“Obviously, you have to expect, when there's weather like that, that there will be some movement, and maybe later on as the game goes on there, will be some turn or something like that. I believe it's going to be a typical Indian pitch - or Indian-conditions kind of Test match - where there will be some movement at the start of the innings, and (also) towards the back end, maybe, when the temperature slightly drops. And then in the middle [session], there will be some spin, I guess - or maybe not, I don't know,” he added.

England back two pacers-spinners strategy, Stokes may bowl in Dharamshala

On the other hand, England have decided to play two pacers and spinners each in Dharamshala. However, skipper Ben Stokes has been bowling in the nets for quite some time now and there were rumours of him bowling in Ranchi but the all-rounder refrained. If the conditions suit the Three Lions, it won’t be surprising if Stokes picks up the bowl in Dharamshala.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: Visitors announce playing XI for Dharamsala Test, reap faith in Mark Wood