England's first Test series defeat under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum was confirmed in Ranchi last week, when India took an unassailable 3-1 lead in their five-match series.
A series that has taken in the bustling cities of Hyderabad and Rajkot as well as Visakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal concludes against the stunning backdrop of the Himalayas at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
- England to have first-innings lead
- Jasprit Bumrah top match wicket-taker
- Shubman Gill to score a fifty in the match
England Can Take 1st Innings Lead
England were the last team to win a Test series in India 12 years ago, so it is little surprise that this winter's contest is the first time that their 'Bazball' approach has come unstuck.
However, barring a humiliating 434-run defeat in the third Test in Rajkot, England have put India under pressure at times and the series scenario could be different had they not fluffed their lines in the second innings in Ranchi last time.
Encouragingly, Stokes' staunch defence of his side's approach no matter what the circumstance appeared to have softened slightly in Ranchi, where England, anchored by an exceptional century from Joe Root, were far more measured in their first innings and compiled 353 all out, 46 more than India.
If they again balance aggression with application then there is a chance that England could have the advantage at the halfway stage in Dharamsala.
ENGLAND TO HAVE FIRST-INNINGS LEAD
Bumrah Can Turn The Screw
Unsurprisingly, spin has been the dominant source of wickets during the series but conditions in Dharamsala could see the seam bowlers play a much greater role.
In four games in the Ranji Trophy - India's domestic first-class competition - at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, seamers have taken 122 of the 129 wickets to fall, with the seven wickets for spinners costing almost 60 runs a piece.
India star Jasprit Bumrah seems to thrive no matter what the conditions but he could be especially effective if the wicket for the first Test is as helpful to the fast bowlers.
Bumrah was rested for the fourth Test in Ranchi but has still taken 17 wickets in the series, just three shy of the leading wicket-taker Tom Hartley.
JASPRIT BUMRAH TOP MATCH WICKET-TAKER
Gill To showcase His Class
There is little doubt that Shubman Gill is the future of Indian cricket.
The 24-year-old is an exceptional talent who has already churned out a number of match-winning knocks in ODIs and the Indian Premier League.
He has yet to really stamp his authority on the Test arena - his Test average is 33.70 compared to an ODI figure of 61.37 - but that seems only a matter of time given his immense talent.
Gill scored a second-innings 104 in the second Test, 91 second time around in the big win at Rajkot and steered India home with an unbeaten 52 last week.
So, despite a couple of low scores in between, his form is there and he could again pass 50 in Dharamsala.
SHUBMAN GILL TO SCORE A FIFTY IN THE MATCH
