It is an perfect stage for India's mercurial skipper Virat Kohli, who loves to bring his A game to the fore when the chips are down.
A look at the newly-laid dark coloured Chepauk track is an indication that unlike the strip used during the first Test, this one will offer turn earlier than expected.
England beat the West Indies by six runs on the DLS scoring method to take an unassailable 3-0 series lead after rain curtailed what promised to be a thrilling finish to the fourth One-Day International at The Oval on Wednesday.
Chasing 368 for victory, England were all out for 210 with Haseeb Hameed (63) and Rory Burns (50) hitting half-centuries.
Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik believes the time is ripe for Ravichandran Ashwin to make his first appearance of the series in he fourth Test at The Kia Oval, commencing Thursday.
'England were playing with nine and a half men'
A change in approach is required and for that a paradigm shift in the mindset during tricky run-chases unlike the first game at the Oval where the game was singlehandedly won by Jasprit Bumrah's six-wicket haul.
Cook stands tall in final Test as England take healthy lead against India
England bowled India out for 184 on Sunday to win the fourth Test by 60 runs and wrap up the series with a match to spare.
A proud Muslim of Pakistani descent featuring a luxuriant black beard has become a cult figure after performing heroics with the ball during England's spirited fightback in the current series against India.
Cheteshwar Pujara carved out one of his finest Test hundreds, a knock punctuated by a mix of trademark tenacity and grace, as India eked out a slender 27-run first innings lead against England on Day 2 of the fourth Test.
Overall, India have lost a Test match inside three days 14 times, including six times in England.
Young and talented batsman Ajinkya Rahane expressed his disappointment in the manner he got out playing a poor shot off a rank longhop bowled by part-time off-spinner Moeen Ali on the third day of the third cricket Test against England in Southampton on Tuesday.
England captain acknowledges and appreciates diverse culture in team
India will also be pondering a few changes for Lord's and regular spinner Ravichandran Ashwin looks to be in a good position to force his way into the starting eleven.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad in another must-win Indian Premier League encounter
Riding on Joe Root's ton and Moeen Ali's half century (99 batting), England made most of the favourable conditions to finish Day 1 on 311/4. Here are the statistical highlights from Day 1 of the 1st Test in Rajkot on Wednesday.
Images from Day 1 of the opening Test between India and England in Rajkot on Wednesday.
He, along with teammate Alex Hales, could yet be fined and suspended, however it will be some time before that conclusion can be reached.
England's cricketers must take responsibility for their actions and improve their off-field behaviour or risk turning a younger generation of players away from the game, all-rounder Moeen Ali said.
Wicketkeeper Matt Prior and struggling batsman Jonathan Trott have lost their central contacts with England, though all-rounder Ben Stokes has been rewarded despite a poor home series against India.
Images from Day 2 of the second Test between England and India, at Lord's, on Friday.
David Miller blasted a quickfire 51-ball 94 as Gujarat Titans pulled off an incredible come-from-behind three-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2022 match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Sunday.
IMAGES from the IPL 2022 game between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore, at the D Y Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai, on Tuesday.
Chennai and Mumbai have to win eight of their remaining 10 games to entertain hopes of making the play-offs in IPL 2022.
Joe Root hit an unbeaten century as England beat India by 86 runs to level the three-match series at 1-1, in Lord's in London, on Saturday.
Former captain Michael Vaughan questioned if England are giving priority to Test cricket.
Pakistan beat England by 14 runs at Trent Bridge on Monday as the World Cup's first centuries from Joe Root and Jos Buttler were not enough to help the hosts and pre-tournament favourites overhaul the huge target of 349 set for them.
In other big movements, Punjab Kings have released their last edition's captain Mayank Agarwal, while West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Pakistan had set England a target of 155. The hosts beat a battling Pakistan by three wickets.
Images from the Indian Premier League final between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, in Dubai, on Friday.
IMAGES from the IPL 2022 game between Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, in Mumbai, on Thursday
Jonny Bairstow has been rested and injured pacer Jofra Archer was left out while spinner Moeen Ali was unavailable for Test selection.
Mohammad Hafeez scored a scintillating unbeaten 86 as Pakistan held their nerve to defeat England by five runs in the third and final Twenty20 International at Old Trafford on Tuesday to tie the series 1-1.
Moeen Ali said it will be a massive challenge for England bowlers to get the better of India captain Virat Kohli, who he says doesn't have 'any sort of weakness'.
India will aim to soar higher with the return of Virat Kohli against Joe Root's England
'No one expected that we would do this well. We play every game as if it's a do or die situation. We go out as the underdogs in each game and that helps us. Ricky (Ponting) always says that (starting as underdogs) gets the best out of everyone'
Delhi's performance at home is woeful, but having registered a win after two consecutive losses at the Kotla, the Shreyas Iyer-led outfit is high on confidence.
Following is the list of players who have been released by the different franchises ahead of the auction for the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League.
CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni missed the game against SRH due to a stiff back but is likely to be back for Sunday's match against Virat Kohli-led RCB.
