Joe Root invited Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team to bowl first after winning the toss in the fifth Test match of the five-match series on Friday.

The fifth match of the series is being played at the Kennington Oval, London.

Advertisement

After winning the toss, Joe Root said, ” We will bat first. It has been difficult to read the pitch this summer. It looks a bit dry. We are playing two spinners so bowling second will play to our advantage. We will try to make as many runs in the first innings. We get good wickets here, it will be tough to start though. With sun out it should be good for batting in the afternoon. I will bat at four and I will try to get the best out of myself. Moeen Ali has been in excellent form batting for his county team at the number three spot. Hopefully, he can do the same for England. Jonny has been flawless in the last 18 months. His challenge will be to continue the hard work. We have played good cricket throughout the Test series. It has been a good series for us and we will like to finish on a high.

Virat Kohli said: “I think I need heads on both sides. That is the only way I would win the toss. It looks a good wicket but there is grass on the pitch and first session will be tough. One change is forced. Ashwin is out, Jadeja replaces him. Hardik Pandya has been left out and Hanuma Vihari comes in place of him. He is an exciting prospect. He averages close to 60 in first-class cricket. He has worked his way up. It has been tough for the openers in the series. And you gotta respect that. Openers have worked hard, they have looked well too. Just about extending the partnership. We have seen too much of Cook at times. Cook has been a great great player. To get 12,000 runs as an openes in these conditions and all over the world is outstanding. He will go down as one of the greatest openers in Test cricket.”

Teams:

India (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

England (Playing XI): Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Moeen Ali, Joe Root(c), Jonny Bairstow(w), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad, James Anderson