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India-England Test: Rain delays start on Day 5 but clear weather after lunch

IND vs ENG: Needing 536-runs to win on the final day, England’s chances of winning the Test are virtually non-existent.

Overcast conditions and gloomy weather in Birmingham on Sunday morning. (Express Photo by Sandeep Dwivedi)

Birmingham woke to rain on Sunday, the final day of the India-England fifth day. The BBC weather forecast said that light showers were expected till noon, delaying the start of the game. However after lunch the weather was said to be relatively clear and normal service would resume at Edgbaston. For the later part of the day, the Test is expected to be played under cloudy or sunny skies.

Needing 536-runs to win on the final day, England’s chances of winning the Test are virtually non-existent. On the face of it, the rain interruption might seem to be favouring the home team but that is not the case. The rainy start to the day will help the Indian pacers when the play commences.

The latest update from Birmingham is that Day 5 action will start at 5:10 pm (IST) with 80 overs of play possible on Sunday. Here are the new session timings:

Session 1: 17:10 to 19:00 | Lunch Break: 19:00 to 19:40 | Session 2: 19:40 to 21:40 | Tea Break: 21:40 to 22:00 | 3rd Session: 22:00 to 23:30

FOLLOW | INDIA VS ENGLAND 2ND TEST DAY 5 LIVE UPDATES

It will come in handy as they look to take 7 wickets to win the game. Moisture in the air and the sweating on the pitch, after the covers are taken off, will add some life to the pitch.

As has been the pattern of play in this series, the bowlers are most effective when the ball is new. Having already bowled 16 overs, India still can expect the ball to swing and seam for an hour or so. Bowling under cloud cover and moisture in the air, pacers Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj can fancy their chances of getting the wickets of overnight England batsman Harry Brook and Ollie Pope early.

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England don’t bat too deep as was evident from the first innings. Wicket-keeper Jamie Smith, and to some extent Chris Woakes, can be expected to score runs or stick around. But after the long tail starts. Though, there is one favour that the rain can do to England. For a team that insist they always play to win, the time lost because of rain would give them an excuse to play out a draw.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

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