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The vibrant HPCA Stadium, situated at an altitude of 1,317m, is a recent addition to the world of Test cricket, ranked 114th out of 122 venues that have hosted men’s games. Despite its newcomer status, with the picturesque backdrop of snow-covered Himalayan mountains and majestic eagles soaring overhead, it undoubtedly holds a place among the most stunning stadiums.

The English cricket team will meet the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala on Wednesday, a day before the fifth Test match. Additionally, the presence of the Tibetan community living in exile adds to the intrigue of the event. Despite India already winning the series, those attending the second Test match in the region, the first since Australia’s loss in 2017, should consider themselves fortunate.

These efforts seem to provide a reliable remedy for what is commonly referred to in cricket as “departure lounge syndrome,” where a traveling team that has already lost can experience a strong sense of mental exhaustion before completing a series. However, Ben Stokes does not see it this way. Despite being captivated by the location, as evidenced by the multitude of pictures on social media, he remains motivated even though India has a secure lead of 3-1.

Stokes stated on Tuesday that thoughts about returning home are not on anyone’s mind. He emphasized that playing for England is always a special opportunity, regardless of location or time away. However, he also recognized that the current location is unique and should not be overlooked.

This week marks several significant events, including Jonny Bairstow and Ravichandran Ashwin both achieving 100 Test caps, Jimmy Anderson being two wickets away from 700, and Yashasvi Jaiswal only needing one run to surpass Virat Kohli’s Indian record of 655 runs in a Test series against England. While Stokes downplayed his 100th cap during the tour, calling it “just a number,” there is a different sentiment surrounding the enthusiastic Bairstow.

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“I think this will hold more emotional weight for Jonny than it did for me,” stated Stokes. “He has his mother, sister, partner, and young son here, as well as some friends. Representing England holds a lot of significance for him. I have been a part of Jonny’s journey from playing together in youth cricket to facing him on the field, and also being teammates for England. He is one of the best all-format batsmen we have and has achieved incredible feats.”

The game can also be seen as marking the end of the first portion of the Bazball initiative initiated by Bairstow in 2022. Stokes does not have a set term as leader, but Brendon McCullum has a four-year contract as head coach until the conclusion of the 2025-26 Ashes. The New Zealand native is not one to excessively consider the future – unlike his predecessors – but he is still operating within the established cycle of England’s Test team.

After a breakneck start of 10 wins from 11 that saw a bold new culture embedded, results have tapered off as the quality of opposition has risen, with the ledger now reading: played 22, won 14, lost seven, drawn one (rain). A similar incline comes over the next two years with series against West Indies and Sri Lanka this summer, returns to Pakistan and New Zealand next winter, then two final challenges in 2025 with India at home and the next attempt to regain the urn from Australia.

Therefore, the conclusion of this trip could be a moment to assess the situation, to determine which aspects require updating. Harry Brook’s anticipated comeback is expected and will impact the wicketkeeper position. The seam team must adapt, considering Anderson’s age and Ollie Robinson’s inconsistent physical condition. Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir have proven themselves, posing a potential challenge to Jack Leach’s role as the top spinner, though this is unfortunate.

Stokes stated that from solely looking at the results, one might conclude that we have regressed. However, he believes that this is not the case. He acknowledged the growth and development of both the individuals and the team throughout this tour. He also noted that progress may not always be reflected in the results.

Stokes mentioned the importance of physical fitness and a positive mindset, despite England’s middle order struggles and inability to win crucial moments. He dismissed the idea that their struggles are solely caused by mental issues, highlighting India’s strong performance on their home ground. He emphasized the importance of hard work in the practice nets for improvement and acknowledged that England has not been an easy team for opponents to defeat on their home turf.

On Tuesday, Stokes was still deciding on his final team, struggling to choose between conditions similar to a county game in April and Sunil Chauhan, the head groundsman who wears a stylish cowboy hat, who had prepared a flat, beige pitch. Ashwin, who spoke before reaching his personal milestone, stated that the ground can sometimes feel like an away game in India, but it seems that it will be conducive for scoring runs in the beginning before becoming more suitable for spin later on in the game.

India has all their bases covered, as they welcome back Jasprit Bumrah who took a break during the fourth Test. England may bring back Mark Wood, potentially replacing Robinson who had a shaky performance last week. However, even if they choose to play with three seamers, Bashir may not be available due to a sore spinning finger, as he has been bowling a lot recently. It is more probable that the uncapped Gus Atkinson will be chosen.

No matter the outcome and final score, a memorable week in the Himalayas awaits.

Source: theguardian.com