India-Eng fifth Test faces uncertainty

India head into the fifth Test in Manchester starting today just one match away from the superb achievement of winning Test series in both Australia and England in the same year.

Several Indian newspapers, however, reported that the fifth Test was put in doubt after a Team India support staff tested positive for Covid.

Though none of the players were found to be positive yet, the further spread of the virus within the team cannot be ruled out since most of the cricketers were in close contact of the support staff all through the last Test.

India have cancelled a training session on the eve of the fifth Test amid reports another member of their support staff has tested positive for Covid-19.

Their 157-run win at the Oval completed Monday, that put them 2-1 up with one to play, came after England's innings and 76-run victory at Headingley, where India were dismissed for just 78 in the first innings. But it was a different story in south London.

In Manchester, India must cope with the pressure of being favourites to win, or at least avoid defeat, if they are to enjoy just a fourth series victory in England following their 1971, 1986 and 2007 triumphs.

India may be able to summon some of the 'backs to the wall' spirit Kohli thrives upon from knowing they will be without head coach Ravi Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar, who will all miss the match after testing positive for Covid-19.

Meanwhile, England are on the brink of losing two Test series in a home season for the first time since 1986. Veteran seamer James Anderson and Ollie Robinson have both bowled more than 163 overs each so far this series, the pair combining for 36 wickets in the absence of the injured Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer, with all-rounder Ben Stokes missing the series due to mental health issues. "You want to make sure you do the best thing for the player but you also don't want to go into a Test match and someone go down injured and you've got one less bowler at your disposal," said England captain Joe Root.