🏏England tour of India 2025: 5thT20I: 2/2/2025 at 7:00 PM IST🏏

Suryakumar's India look to land one final blow on England. With the series already wrapped up, India's captain will be keen on marking his Mumbai homecoming with a big performance

The Wankhede contest was not to be a dead rubber. England were in the game till about the 35th over before they lost their way to surrender the match by 15 runs in Pune. It's going to be an antic-climatic end to what promised to be an exciting match - series as well - on Sunday.

England have made noise about the concussion substitute but more than Harshit Rana, who they allege was an unfair (not like for like) concussion replacement, it was their self-subversion rather than Rana's extra venom (extra pace as Jos Buttler would say) that brought about their downfall in Pune.

"No common sense - it doesn't make sense to me," Nick Knight, a former England opener, told Cricbuzz on Rana coming in place of Shivam Dube. But the former England opener, who is here as a commentator, blamed the Buttler side. "However, England were in a position to win the game regardless IMO (in my opinion)."

Even Buttler conceded his side should have won the game. "We're disappointed. I thought we did a lot of things really well: the early wickets set them back and we were in a great position in the powerplay. We got in positions to win the game and it's disappointing that we didn't." The England skipper was livid; he was honest too.

It now appears England have moved on; as one presumes India would too. With the series done and dusted, it is likely that would bring in the bench. It could be an important contest for Mohammed Shami, who has played just one of the four games so far. Bowling coach Morne Morkel hinted that the veteran pacer will come into the mix at the Wankhede.

"Shami has been bowling really well. You know, catching to him at warm-ups, (the ball) is really hitting the glove hard. So, (we're) very happy with how he's coming along. You know, he's probably going to get an opportunity in the next game. We'll see how things go. But, yeah, (we're) excited to have him back in the group," Morkel said.

Shami not playing more games in the series was apparently not a surprise. He was picked so that he could be with the physios and trainers and prepare well for the more challenging ODIs and the Champions Trophy assignment. All eyes will be on him just as on the off-colour duo of Sanju Samson and India skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who would be hoping the familiar home conditions will bring his 360 degree play to the fore.

Big picture: Homecoming for SKY

A new captain, and a homecoming at the Wankhede, was the theme in the build-up to IPL 2024. It is once again a talking point as the India-England T20I series heads for a finale in Mumbai.

Hardik Pandya had a long wait to win the crowd over last year in the IPL, having taken over Mumbai Indians' captaincy from Rohit Sharma. None of that hostility will be in store for Suryakumar Yadav, who will be captaining India for the first time on his home turf. He has a sound record in T20s at the venue: 1493 runs (second-most for any batter), a strike rate of 156.66, an average of over 38. Even in IPL 2024, when he blew hot and cold, he hit two fifties and a hundred - to go with three ducks - at the venue.

However, the Suryakumar that is coming into the game is in unfamiliar territory by his lofty T20I standards. He has gone seven successive innings without a half-century, the longest such streak for him, and tallies just 26 in four outings in this series with two ducks. The high-intent approach of going hard from ball one is partly a cause, with assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate saying consistency and predictability is not a high marker in T20 cricket.

This series for England has been about hit-the-deck bowlers, with each of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Brydon Carse making use of the hard lengths to undo the India captain. Only in Pune did Suryakumar chip a tame catch off a full ball on his pad.

England will once again be looking to hit the right length to spoil Suryakumar's homecoming, while the hosts will have their sights set on an impressive 4-1 series win.

When: Sunday, February 2 at 7 PM IST

Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

What to expect: As always with the Wankhede, teams would want to bat second. The English fast bowlers can expect a fair amount of bounce on the surface but overall a placid track full of runs is expected.

Team Watch

India

The chances are that Mohammed Shami would get a look-in just as the likes of Ramandeep Singh. Washington Sundar and Dhruv Jurel too could get a chance. There will be focus on Sanju Samson who has had very unflattering scores of 1, 3, 5 and 26.

Tactics and Match-up

While India have repeatedly gone in with only one frontline pacer in the series, a change in tactic could be in store given the conditions expected at the Wankhede. If they do go down that route, it will be interesting to see which spinner makes way.

Predicted XI: Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube/Ramandeep Singh/Dhruv Jurel, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh/Harshit Rana

England

Changes in the batting lineup are unlikely for England but there is a case for Jofra Archer to get rested ahead of the ODI series and the Champions Trophy. That could mean a recall for Gus Atkinson. Mark Wood might have also been in contention had the series been still alive heading into this game.

Tactics and Match-up

England's brave approach against spin despite their struggles might finally pay off at this venue. Jacob Bethell struggled at No.6 on his return to the XI so a promotion for the youngster is something England could ponder.

Predicted XI: Phil Salt (WK), Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (C), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood

In the spotlight: Abhishek Sharma and Ben Duckett

One of the flagbearers of India's fearless batting approach has been Abhishek Sharma. In his brief T20I career, only twice has he been dismissed with a sub-100 strike rate. He's managed to put away the back-of-length deliveries that Archer and Wood often peppered him with by making room and slapping them over point or cover. That he has not batted longer than 19 balls in any of the games after the first one could be held against him, especially if there is a squeeze at the top of the order when the likes of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal return. A longer, more impactful knock in Mumbai could make it tough for the selectors to leave him out.

One of Ben Duckett's reputations is that of a spin-hitter. But in the first two games he was out before spin came on. Why England rated him high became clear when he scored 51 in Rajkot, when they managed to eke out a win - even though it was down to the last-wicket stand. Duckett put India's spinners off their lengths by using the sweep and reverse sweeps, much like he did in Pune before falling to spin. It took time for India to plug his preferred spots, deep square leg and deep point, which meant he had to hit spin through the 'V'. Can he give England a sound start in the final T20I?

Team news: Ramandeep or Rana for Dube?

Shivam Dube's concussion puts him in doubt for the fifth T20I. And that could mean a look-in either for Ramandeep Singh, a batting allrounder, or another outing for Harshit Rana if India feel they could do with a second seamer at the Wankhede. Mohammed Shami might also return in place of Arshdeep Singh.

India (probable XI): 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Sanju Samson (wk), 3 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Hardik Pandya, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Ramandeep Singh/Harshit Rana, 9 Arshdeep Singh/Mohammed Shami, 10 Ravi Bishnoi, 11 Varun Chakravarthy

An impressive first outing in the series should see fast bowler Saqib Mahmood hold his place in the XI. England might consider resting Archer, who has played all four T20Is so far, and bringing back Gus Atkinson. Legspinning allrounder Rehan Ahmed could also get a game.

The rotation in the pace department could see Gus Atkinson return with Archer, who has played all four matches thus far, resting ahead of the ODIs. There could also be an outing for legspinning allrounder Rehan Ahmed.

England (probable XI): 1 Phil Salt (wk), 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jos Buttler (capt), 4 Harry Brook, 5 Liam Livingstone, 6 Jamie Smith/Jacob Bethell, 7 Jamie Overton, 8 Brydon Carse, 9 Jofra Archer/Gus Atkinson, 10 Saqib Mahmood, 11 Adil Rashid/Rehan Ahmed

Pitch and conditions

The weather is expected to be in the mid-20s and dew could play a role at the Wankhede Stadium. Teams batting first have won only three T20Is out of the eight at this venue, but in IPL 2024, teams managed to successfully defend a target in four of the seven matches. Most recently, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, teams chasing won eight times in 14 matches. The average score in the competition at the venue was 145.

Stats and trivia

Mahmood has been England's leading wicket-taker in the powerplay in T20Is since January 2024. He has picked up 12 wickets in just seven innings starting with the Australia series last September. On an average, he strikes every nine balls in the first six overs. Archer is next in the list with 10 scalps from 18 innings.

India's captains across men's formats this season - Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav - average a combined 13.12, the lowest for any team with a minimum of 20 innings batting in the top seven.

India's spinners have combined to take 24 wickets in this series, the most they ever have in a bilateral series. Varun Chakravarthy leads the charts with 12 wickets, including a five-wicket haul.

Quotes

"I like the confidence this bowling unit walks onto the field with. The planning we do before games, everybody is contributing in those conversations. The main thing is to go out and execute and even if we are under pressure, like tonight, it was great awareness shown by the group."

Morne Morkel, India's bowling coach, is pleased with how they defended the score in Pune

Today's Match Prediction: Chasing team to win the match

Scenario 1

• India win the toss and opt to bowl first
• Powerplay: 50-60
• ENG: 170-190
• India win the match.

Scenario 2

• England win the toss and opt to bowl first
• Powerplay: 45-55
• IND: 170-190
• England win the match

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.

Thanks for the tag Soni.

Though it is a dead rubber, Indian team should use it for batting practice.

Cheers..