England captain Ben Stokes says he has by no means seen something just like the pitch for the fourth Take a look at in opposition to India.
The floor in Ranchi has cracks operating down one facet, simply outdoors a right-hander’s off stump at one finish and a left-hander’s off stump on the different.
At 2-1 down within the sequence, England have to win the sport starting on Friday to drive a deciding fifth Take a look at.
“I’ve by no means seen one thing like that earlier than. I’ve bought no concept so I do not know what may occur,” mentioned Stokes.
“When you regarded down one facet of reverse ends it simply regarded completely different to what I’m used to seeing, particularly out in India.”
All-rounder Stokes added: “It regarded inexperienced and grassy up within the altering rooms, however then you definately go on the market it regarded completely different: very darkish and crumbly and fairly a number of cracks in it.”
England will title their group on Friday, with various choices at their disposal.
James Anderson and Mark Wooden performed as a tempo pairing for the primary time within the sequence through the big 434-run defeat within the third Take a look at in Rajkot.
England spent most of that sport within the area in excessive warmth, so there’s a probability that neither Anderson nor Wooden can be thought-about totally match for Ranchi.
Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir might be recalled after lacking the third Take a look at, whereas Ollie Robinson is an choice as the only seamer in what could be his first sport for England because the third Ashes Take a look at.
If England assume run-scoring can be extremely troublesome, one other different could be to elongate their batting by together with Dan Lawrence, who may supply some part-time off-spin.
England’s choice could also be influenced by Stokes himself, who bowled within the nets in coaching on Wednesday for the primary time since having knee surgical procedure in November.
Stokes initially dominated himself out of bowling on this tour, saying he had made a “pinky promise” to England physio Ben Davies.
However after England’s defeat within the third Take a look at, the Durham man opened the door to the opportunity of taking the ball within the remaining two Checks, saying he had been in a position to bowl at “100%” in coaching.
The 32-year-old bowled for 35 minutes, then had a protracted dialog with group physician Glen Rae.
Stokes mentioned his left knee was pain-free through the bowling spell, one thing that had not occurred for “years” and there’s a “potential probability” he’ll bowl through the Take a look at.
“I’ll simply have to attend and see how every thing is,” mentioned Stokes. “It’s the longest I’ve bowled in six months so let’s examine how every thing pulls up.”
England got here in for criticism following the defeat in Rajkot, their heaviest loss by way of runs since 1934.
Now they have to not be overwhelmed in both of the ultimate two Checks as a way to keep away from a primary sequence defeat underneath Stokes’ captaincy.
The skipper was not shocked on the response to England’s drubbing by India within the third Take a look at, with the group going through criticism.
“It is sport,” Stokes mentioned. “You get plaudits when it goes properly and never when it does not. It is a part of it, I have been round lengthy sufficient to know that, however we crack on.
“Defeats like final week can have a much bigger impact on the group that it must be. However I am comfy with how I addressed that – I do know it is the subsequent sport that counts.”
India have rested quick bowler Jasprit Bumrah, leaving 27-year-old Akash Deep in line for a Take a look at debut.