ENG vs IND, 5th Test | Weather prediction: Will rain hamper England’s chances of chasing down record total?

After a great full day’s play on Day four, India will hope that the conditions favour them a little on the crucial final day where England are looking set for a win.

India are set to start their final day’s play against England with 119 to defend against the likes of Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes. England have been on a roll while playing their second innings of the game, scoring at a rapid rate on Day four, as the conditions favoured the batters.

However, it is not going to be the same case on Day 5 at Birmingham, as a thick cloud cover is expected to play a big part for the majority of the day. With the temperature holding around mid 10s throughout the day, Indian pace bowlers would be raring to exploit the conditions in the early hours of the play, when the track is still relatively fresh.

India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shared a photo from his hotel room in the morning, where it was overcast at Birminghman. In case the conditions turn out to be like that, the fans could be in for a riveting contest on the final day.

Former India batter Wasim Jaffer has already opined that India need to take 2-3 wickets inside the first hour, which is the only way to put pressure back on the opposition. India would hope that they get some aid from the overcast conditions.