England have named an unchanged squad for the first two Tests of the five-match Ashes series against Australia.
Keacy Carty hit a half-century and Matthew Forde took three wickets as West Indies claimed a four-wicket win in the rain-affected third one-day international on Saturday to clinch their first home ODI series victory over England since 1998.
India's bid to win a 17th consecutive home Test series, however, hinges on the success of their three-pronged spin attack comprising Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
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.
Australia retained the urn after rain washed out the final day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, leaving England trailing 2-1 in the series.
Images from Day 4 of the third Test between India and England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Sunday
R Ashwin is a content man after becoming only the second Indian to take 500 Test wickets and has no interest in chasing Anil Kumble's national record of 619 scalps.
The last time England toured India, back in early 2021, Joe Root's team went back home beaten and bruised 3-1.
Shai Hope powered West Indies to a thrilling four-wicket victory over England
Fast bowler James Anderson replacing Ollie Robinson in the side that won at Headingley.
IMAGES from Day 1 of the opening Ashes Test played between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Friday.
James Anderson, Broad and Ollie Robinson will lead the pace attack with Moeen, who retired from tests in 2021, returning to the side after Jack Leach was ruled out of the series due to a back injury.
'For me, the lowest point was the phase between 2018 and 2019.'
India were sitting pretty on 473/8 in 120 overs at stumps on the second day for an overall lead of 255 runs.
Young turks Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill made the difference with the bat, while Jasprit Bumrah was devastating with the ball.
India will need to be ruthless and tactful in equal measure while dealing with an unpredictable England when the third chapter of a riveting Test series begins in Rajkot on Thursday.
Hurt India eye sweeping changes in approach against England's 'Bazball' in second Test
Images from Day 1 of the fifth and final Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Oval in London on Thursday.
Images from Day 3 of the first Test between India and England in Hyderabad on Saturday.
Can the subcontinent giants maintain their 12-year invincibility?
England started the day at 97-0 needing another 33 to win and picked them up in 27 minutes for the loss of Alex Lees for 39. Crawley finished on 69 not out, with Pope unbeaten on 11.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the third Test against England?
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the first Test against England?
Australia coach McDonald dismisses 'far-fetched' Cummins resignation talk
New Zealand batter Kane Williamson remains at the top of the list with 883 rating points.
Victory for England would see them take the series, which is poised at 1-1.
IMAGES from Day 2 of the opening Ashes Test played between England and Australia at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham on Saturday.
'He is obviously a bit of a rough diamond.'
Max Verstappen took his fifth pole position in a row at the British Grand Prix.
Australia's pacemen Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins ripped out England's top order with a masterclass of textbook bowling to put their side in sight of a 2-0 Ashes lead on Saturday.
England fast bowler Jofra Archer was ruled out of the Ashes series against Australia.
Mumbai Indians sorely missed the injured Archer last season
England, chasing 251 to win the must-win third Ashes Test, closed the rain-delayed day three on 27/0.
'I really hope we've inspired a new generation.'
Several England players, including skipper Ben Stokes, have been affected by a virus on the eve of their opening Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, senior batsman Joe Root said on Wednesday.
The absence of big names such as Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan notwithstanding, Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma is confident that his team would prove to be quite a handful for hosts Rajasthan in their Ranji Trophy match starting in Jaipur on Friday.
Josh Tongue picked up a five-wicket haul as England handed Ireland a crushing defeat in the one-off Test at the Lord's.
'It's certainly there, the way that they want to play, this bold new approach to Test match cricket, trying to make bold decisions at any stage in the game where they can.'
As a traditional innings by Joe Root turned it around for England, Jonny Bairstow lauded his 'talented' teammate following Day 1's play.
Brad Pitt's as-yet untitled Formula One movie starts filming at Silverstone against the race backdrop at this weekend's British Grand Prix.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances