India vs England recap: How a dominant Team India took a 2-1 series lead last year

It's a bit of deja vu for India this time around with skipper Rohit Sharma testing positive for Covid-19. The team management is yet to take a final call on his inclusion in the match. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side if Rohit remains unfit.

With a 2-1 lead India have a golden chance to win a Test series in England for the first time since 2007. But it might just be an uphill task for India, with a new era having dawned for English cricket under new captain (Ben Stokes) and coach (Brendon McCullum). The English are on a high after inflicting a 3-0 whitewash on World Test Champions New Zealand recently in their own backyard.

Ahead of the fifth Test match which gets underway from Friday, TimesofIndia.com here looks back at the highlights of the four Test matches that were held last year:1st Test: Match ended in a draw at NottinghamHaving suffered an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the World Test Championship final, India immediately made amends and got their new season in England last year off to a good start. But the persistent rain at Nottingham played spoilsport in India's very realistic shot at victory in the series-opener. India were in total control of the first Test after bowling out England for a meagre 183 in the first innings and then going on to take a crucial 95-run lead.

However, England, riding on Joe Root's century, produced a much-improved batting performance to score 303 in the second innings and set India a not so daunting 209-run target. India were nicely poised at 52 for 1 in 14 overs at the end of the fourth day. But the rain Gods came to the host's rescue as the entire fifth day's play was washed out and India were forced to share WTC points with England.