Following their victory in the fourth Test in Ranchi, clinching a 3-1 lead in the series, team India gears up to face England in the fifth and final Test at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala. The match kicks off on Thursday, March 7.
This decisive match marks the culmination of the ongoing five-match series between India and England. India has already asserted dominance by securing wins in the second, third, and fourth Tests held in Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, and Ranchi, respectively.
Despite their lead, India isn’t easing up. They’re keen on delivering another stellar performance in Dharamsala to clinch the series with a commanding 4-1 margin. A victory here would not only further affirm their supremacy but also bolster their standing at the summit of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table.
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Let’s delve into the records and statistics at the HPCA Stadium:
Most runs:
Steve Smith, the Australian maestro, reigns supreme with the highest run tally at the HPCA Stadium. During the solitary Test at the venue, he amassed 128 runs across two innings, boasting an impressive average of 64. Smith’s standout performance included a century in the first innings.
For India, KL Rahul leads the charge with the most runs scored at this venue. He showcased his prowess by notching up 111 runs in two innings, maintaining a remarkable average of 111, with half-centuries in both innings.
Most wickets:
Umesh Yadav and Nathan Lyon share the title of the highest wicket-takers at the HPCA Stadium in Tests. Each claimed five wickets during the single Test held at the venue. Umesh boasts a superior average of 19.60 compared to Lyon’s 22.20, despite the latter’s memorable five-wicket haul.
Highest individual score:
In 2017, Steve Smith’s stellar performance saw him achieve the highest individual score at the venue, with a remarkable 111 runs off 173 balls. His aggressive innings, featuring 14 boundaries, propelled Australia to a respectable total of 300 runs in the first innings against India.
Best bowling figures in an innings:
Nathan Lyon’s masterful display saw him clinch five crucial wickets for 92 runs in India’s first innings during the only Test at the venue. Lyon’s exceptional bowling prowess accounted for key Indian batsmen, including Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane.
Highest and lowest team totals:
India’s impressive batting display saw them notch up the highest team total at the HPCA Stadium, posting 332 runs in their first innings against Australia. Conversely, Indian bowlers wreaked havoc on Australia’s batting lineup, limiting them to a mere 137 runs in the second innings, marking the lowest team total at the venue.
Average first innings score:
The average first innings score at the HPCA Stadium stands at 300 in Tests, with a slight increase to 332 in the second innings.
Highest partnership:
The dynamic duo of David Warner and Steve Smith forged a formidable partnership, amassing 134 runs for the second wicket during the Dharamsala Test in 2017. This partnership remains the sole instance of a batting pair scoring over 100 runs together at the venue.