The vibrant HPCA Stadium is a relative newcomer to Test cricket, being quantity 114 out of the 122 grounds to have hosted a males’s recreation. But nestled 1,317m above sea degree, with a Toblerone of snow-capped Himalayan peaks as its backdrop and eagles swooping overhead, it’s unquestionably among the many most breathtaking.

Add the presence of the Dalai Lama, whom England’s cricketers are attributable to meet on Wednesday, a time out from the fifth Test, and the Tibetan inhabitants who reside in exile in Dharamsala, and it ranks among the many most fascinating, too. Even although India have gained the collection, these attending the area’s second Test match – its first since Australia misplaced by eight wickets again in 2017 – ought to really feel fairly blessed.

All of which appears an honest antidote to what’s recognized in cricket as departure lounge syndrome; the collective wave of psychological fatigue that may strike a defeated touring facet earlier than a collection is accomplished. Not that Ben Stokes views it this fashion. The England captain is taken by the venue – it’s unimaginable to be something however, therefore the avalanche of photographs on social media – however can also be assured of motivation no matter India’s unassailable 3-1 lead.

“I don’t think that anyone is thinking like that,” Stokes mentioned on Tuesday, concerning ideas turning in direction of residence. “We feel every opportunity to play for England is special. That’s just our mentality and our mindset, regardless of where you are, or how long you’ve been away. But that shouldn’t take away from the fact that this place is pretty special.”

There are, in fact, a variety of milestones this week, be they 100 Test caps for Jonny Bairstow and Ravichandran Ashwin, Jimmy Anderson needing two wickets for 700, or younger Yashasvi Jaiswal merely needing to nudge a single to interrupt Virat Kohli’s Indian document of 655 runs in a Test collection towards England. Stokes shrugged off his a hundredth cap earlier within the tour, calling it “just a number”, however the sentiment concerning the buzzing Bairstow was totally different.

“This is probably going to be more of an emotional thing for Jonny than it ever was for me,” mentioned Stokes. “He’s got his mam, his sister, his partner, his little baby boy and some friends here. Playing for England means so much to him. I’ve been there for a lot of his career, from age-group cricket to playing against him, or with him a lot for England. He’s one of our finest all-format batters and has done some unbelievable things.”

The match can be seen as ending the primary half of the Bazball undertaking that Bairstow kickstarted in 2022. Stokes doesn’t have a time period of workplace as captain however Brendon McCullum signed a four-year deal as head coach that runs till the tip of the 2025-26 Ashes. The New Zealander is just not one for overthinking the longer term – in distinction to what got here earlier than – however he’s nonetheless working inside the cycle that England’s Test facet has lengthy since operated.

After a breakneck begin of 10 wins from 11 that noticed a daring new tradition embedded, outcomes have tapered off as the standard of opposition has risen, with the ledger now studying: performed 22, gained 14, misplaced seven, drawn one (rain). An analogous incline comes over the following two years with collection towards West Indies and Sri Lanka this summer time, returns to Pakistan and New Zealand subsequent winter, then two closing challenges in 2025 with India at residence and the following try and regain the urn from Australia.

As such, the tip of this tour could also be some extent at which to take inventory; to determine which areas want a refresh. Harry Brook’s anticipated return is a pure one and could have a knock-on impact at wicketkeeper. The seam steady merely has to evolve, given Anderson’s age and Ollie Robinson’s unreliable health. Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir have carried out sufficient to problem Jack Leach’s standing as first-choice spinner, unlucky although this can be.

“If you take the results by themselves you’d say we’ve gone backwards,” mentioned Stokes, providing a wider appraisal of the tour. “But we haven’t. The individuals and the team have massively evolved on this tour. Progression doesn’t always show itself with the results.”

Stokes cited health and perspective, even when the center order have struggled and profitable vital moments has eluded England. Once once more, he pushed again on the latter being a psychological problem, pointing to India’s superiority at residence. “All you can do is try your nuts off in the nets because that’s where you get better,” he added. “We ain’t been the pushovers like many teams have looked when they’ve come over here.”

Stokes was nonetheless mulling his closing XI on Tuesday, torn between atmospherics akin to a county fixture in April and Sunil Chauhan, the top groundsman who sports activities a natty cowboy hat, having ready a flat, beige pitch. Ashwin, talking earlier than his private milestone, mentioned the bottom “sometimes feels like an away game in India” however the sense was that it’ll help runscoring earlier than taking spin later within the contest.

Not that India would not have all bases coated regardless, the hosts welcoming again Jasprit Bumrah after he missed the fourth Test for a breather. England had been contemplating a return for Mark Wood, almost certainly for Robinson after final week’s rusty exhibiting. But even when three seamers was the play – Bashir is nursing a sore spinning finger given his workload has entered new territory – the uncapped Gus Atkinson seems likelier.

Whatever the ultimate choice and the scoreline that follows, a memorable week within the Himalayas awaits.