Ishant Sharma returns as India asked to bowl first in Chennai Test

Chennai [India], Dec.16 : England have won the toss and have asked India to field first in the final dead-rubber Test of the five-match series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Friday.

Despite losing the toss, Indian skipper Virat Kohli said that it is not a bad position to be in and that his side are looking forward to take wickets as early as possible.

"Not a bad position to be in. This is exactly the case where we need to take wickets early. A bit of dampness. The best session for our fast bowlers to bowl actually. Important to carry on what we've done over the past two years. These challenges makes you a better Test team," he said. As far as Playing XI is concerned, India have made two changes in the squad. Ishant Sharma, who was back in the reckoning after his wedding, has been brought in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Jayant Yadav has been left out of the squad due to a hamstring niggle. Amit Mishra replaces him. Meanwhile, England skipper Alastair Cook confirmed Liam Dawson will make his Test debut while Stuart Broad has also returned to the squad after recovering from a tendon injury.

Jimmy Anderson and Chris Woakes will miss the final Test due to their respective injuries. While India would be eyeing a 4-0 scoreline to pile further misery on England, the Cook-led side would aim to end the five-match series on high.

Kohli's side will also look to become the first Indian team to go unbeaten in 18 matches by avoiding defeat in the series finale.

India Playing XI: Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain), Karun Nair, Parthiv Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma.

England Playing XI: Alastair Cook (captain), Keaton Jennings, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad, Jake Ball.

Source: ANI

Ishant Sharma returns as India asked to bowl first in Chennai Test

Chennai [India], Dec.16 : England have won the toss and have asked India to field first in the final dead-rubber Test of the five-match series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Friday.

Despite losing the toss, Indian skipper Virat Kohli said that it is not a bad position to be in and that his side are looking forward to take wickets as early as possible.

"Not a bad position to be in. This is exactly the case where we need to take wickets early. A bit of dampness. The best session for our fast bowlers to bowl actually. Important to carry on what we've done over the past two years. These challenges makes you a better Test team," he said. As far as Playing XI is concerned, India have made two changes in the squad. Ishant Sharma, who was back in the reckoning after his wedding, has been brought in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Jayant Yadav has been left out of the squad due to a hamstring niggle. Amit Mishra replaces him. Meanwhile, England skipper Alastair Cook confirmed Liam Dawson will make his Test debut while Stuart Broad has also returned to the squad after recovering from a tendon injury.

Jimmy Anderson and Chris Woakes will miss the final Test due to their respective injuries. While India would be eyeing a 4-0 scoreline to pile further misery on England, the Cook-led side would aim to end the five-match series on high.

Kohli's side will also look to become the first Indian team to go unbeaten in 18 matches by avoiding defeat in the series finale.

India Playing XI: Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain), Karun Nair, Parthiv Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma.

England Playing XI: Alastair Cook (captain), Keaton Jennings, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad, Jake Ball.

Source: ANI