ENG vs IND, weather update: Rain to play spoilsport on Day 1 of Birmingham Test?

India is scheduled to take on the English team in the one-off Test at Edgbaston from Friday (July 1). The game is the left-over one from the red-ball series that took place in England last year. Due to COVID-19 cases in the Indian camp, the fifth Test which was scheduled to take place in Manchester, was postponed and, after more than nine months, both teams will line up against each other to battle for supremacy.

For the English side, the game is a must-win one as anything less than that will allow the visitors to bag the trophy. India currently lead the five-match series after winning two out of the first four matches in comparison to England’s sole win in the Leeds Test.

In comparison to the least time around, things have changed by leaps and bounds for both the teams and both of them will have a new captain and coaching staff. However, for India, their regular skipper, Rohit Sharma, will not be available for the game after he was ruled out due to a positive COVID-19 test.

But even in his absence, the Indian team looks like a strong unit, and a good contest is expected on the cards, but it will only be possible if weather permits, as the rain threat looms large for the rescheduled fixture.

According to Accuweather, a scattered thunderstorm could affect the game in its first two sessions on Day 1. However, the chances of rain will decrease as the game progresses. There is a 50 per cent chance of rain during the day, and it is expected to drop to 40 per cent by night.

England have already announced their playing eleven for the all-important match and have included James Anderson in the line-up. The 39-year-old missed England’s last Test against New Zealand due to an ankle injury. He replaced Jamie Overton in the team. Meanwhile, India is still pondering over its playing combination and will announce the team at the toss when accidental-captain Jasprit Bumrah will assume the charge for the first time in his career.