India's captain Virat Kohli will have to think overtime about the balance of his squad, with a long tail, often bushy with runs, and just two openers -- one untested (Rohit Sharma) but very capable and another supremely talented (KL Rahul) but highly reluctant starter.
England captain Ben Stokes' swashbuckling 155 was in vain as Australia won the second Ashes Test at Lord's by 43 runs on an extraordinary final day on Sunday to take a 2-0 lead in the five-Test series.
Nathan Lyon captured a long-awaited 400th Test wicket and spun Australia to the brink of a comprehensive victory in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane on Saturday as England lost eight wickets in a stunning morning collapse on Day 4.
Images from Day 5 in the second Test between England and India, at Lord's, on Monday.
England's latest version of cricket is set for its biggest test as they face world champions Australia in a bid to reclaim the Ashes.
England skipper Ben Stokes expects to deliver with both bat and ball in the upcoming Ashes.
England's selectors are acutely aware of the impact on players of bio-secure bubbles and with a demanding year ahead, are making sure they protect their key performers.
Conway remained unbeaten 136 as New Zealand finished the first day at a solid 246 for three
IMAGES from Day 3 of the 2nd Test between Pakistan and England in Multan on Sunday.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing for the fifth Test against England?
Images from Day 3 of the fourth Test between India and England in Ranchi on Sunday, February 25.
Jonny Bairstow led England to within 40 runs of South Africa's first innings total, with seven wickets in hand, on the first day of the second Test at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Steve Smith scored an unbeaten 85 to guide Australia to 339/5 as England wasted favourable bowling conditions on the first day of the second Ashes Test.
And, Shaheen Afridi won the T20I bowling award for his annihilation of India in the 10-wicket win for Pakistan at the T20 World Cup.
'For me, it was a challenge and whenever I get to bat, I have to create such an impact that it opens the door for my team's victory.'
The opening Test between India and England ended in a dull draw after rain washed out what had promised to be a humdinger of a final day on Sunday.
The southpaw became the first to score a hundred in a session at the Gabba, propelling Australia to a 196-run lead over England.
At stumps on Day Four, New Zealand's second innings score read 62/2 and the visitors have extended their lead to 165 runs. For the Kiwis, Tom Latham (30*) and Neil Wagner (2*) are unbeaten at the crease.
Victory for England would see them take the series, which is poised at 1-1.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the first Test against England?
Jasprit Bumrah has galloped 10 slots to return to the top 10 for bowlers with a match haul of 9/110 in the first Test against England at Nottingham.
IMAGES from Day 1 of the opening Ashes Test played between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Friday.
For Michael Vaughan, Pep Guardiola is the best sporting leader in the last 15 years and the former England skipper won't mind if Ben Stokes employs Manchester City manager's approach of never allowing players to take their places for granted.
'If England are not playing to win then these Ashes Tests are not that important. They are only exhibition matches. They have got it back to front. It is not about entertaining and then winning. It is about winning first.'
The 40-year-old Pietersen said a win against India is similar to a victory against arch-rivals Australia and urged the selectors to play both Stuart Broad and James Anderson in the same XI.
Rohit Sharma has overtaken captain Virat Kohli to become the top-ranked Test batsman from India.
Images from Day 2 in the fifth Test between Australia and England, in Hobart, on Saturday.
India's pacemen produced a terrific display of swing bowling to crush England by 151 runs in the second Test at Lord's on Monday, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Buttler, Morgan's non-participation in remainder of IPL could save KKR, Royals the blushes
Plucked from obscurity when called up by selectors on Christmas Eve, the 32-year-old Victoria paceman finished with outrageous innings figures of 6-7 in four overs, sending his home crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground into delirium.
Ravindra Jadeja's batting average of 41.90 in away Tests in the last three years is the highest by an Indian batsman having played 10 innings or more. Rajneesh Gupta presents all the interesting numbers from Day 3 of the India-England Test at Trent Bridge.
A homophobic tweet dating back to 2010 from Jimmy Anderson has also emerged.
England pacer James Anderson said the hosts know Virat Kohli can be very "destructive" once he gets going so the wicket of India skipper was "extra special" for him on Wednesday.
The legendary Sachin Tendulkar says the current England team is in complete awe of India's world-class seam attack with only its skipper Joe Root looking capable of getting a big hundred.
England head coach Chris Silverwood on Sunday said "controlled aggression" contributed immensely to their series-levelling win against India in the third Test, days after the players had let their emotions get the better of them at the Lord's.
IMAGES from Day 2 of the opening Ashes Test played between England and Australia at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham on Saturday.
Rohit Sharma slammed his first Test hundred outside India -- a watchful innings 127 off 256 balls -- to put India in control on Day 3 of the fourth Test match against England.
IMAGES from Day 3 of the 3rd Ashes Test played between Australia and England at the MCG on Tuesday.
Images from Day 5 of the first Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham on Tuesday.
