India Aim to Seal Series Win in Dharamsala After String of Comebacks

India captain Rohit Sharma praised his team’s fighting spirit on Wednesday, highlighting their ability to bounce back from challenging situations throughout the ongoing Test series against England.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the final Test in Dharamsala, Sharma acknowledged the team’s initial setback in the series opener at Hyderabad, which England won by 28 runs.

However, he expressed immense satisfaction with the team’s subsequent comeback victories in Visakhapatnam (by 106 runs), Rajkot (by 434 runs), and Ranchi (by 5 wickets).

“The way we won the series is more pleasing than the actual win itself,” Sharma remarked. “It’s been a series of comebacks for us. Whenever we’ve faced pressure, we’ve been able to absorb it and fight back.”

Youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel played pivotal roles in India’s fightbacks, contributing crucial runs during difficult phases. Pacer Akash Deep also impressed on his Test debut in Ranchi, claiming three wickets in the first session.

Regarding the Dharamsala pitch, Sharma anticipated swing and seam bowling early on due to overcast conditions. He compared the potential surface to typical Indian tracks, offering assistance to pacers initially before turning later in the match.

“Our intent is always to win, irrespective of the pitch conditions,” Sharma asserted. “Even on rank turners, there are advantages and disadvantages for both teams.”

The Indian captain hinted at the possibility of including an additional spinner based on the final assessment of the pitch. “There’s a good chance we might play an extra spinner,” he revealed, “but the final decision is yet to be made.”

Currently leading the series 3-1, India will look to secure a convincing series win against England in Dharamsala. This victory would further solidify their position at the top of the World Test Championship standings, where they currently sit with five wins from eight matches.