India might have won the Test series already but what they would love is to be able to end the series against England with an emphatic 4-0 scoreline. Apart from performing in the middle, which they have done quite brilliantly this entire series, what could scupper their hopes of making it four Test wins in the five-match series is the weather.
With Chennai still dealing with the after effects of Cyclone Vardah, there is a major "how much of the match will we get" cloud hanging over this final Test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk.
While the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association has insisted they are confident of the match going ahead on time, with the overhead conditions the way it is at the moment, it is difficult to envisage the teams getting all five days in. Hopefully, it happens, but if it doesn't India and England will want enough time to try and force a result on the usually-good-for-Test-cricket wicket in Chennai.
Here is the weather forecast for the five days of the Test match, which is scheduled to start on Friday.
Friday: The weather is expected to be sunny for the most part, but there are a couple of showers forecast, both in the morning and afternoon. While some forecasts give Monday a 10 per cent chance of rain, there are some, which go as high as 50 per cent. Fingers crossed, it is the former.
If it rains on Thursday, as predicted, it could prove to be difficult, even with the excellent drainage at the Chidambaram Stadium.
Saturday: The second day of the Test match is expected to be proper Chennai sunny, with under 10 per cent chance of rain. If it sticks to that forecast, we could have an exciting day's play.
Sunday: Day three forecast is also similar, which means India and England could get in a couple of days of uninterrupted play, setting the game up nicely for days four and five.
Monday: Day four of the Test match, however, could be hampered by rain, with around 20-40 per cent chance of a thunderstorm.
Tuesday: It should be sunny again on the final day, with rain unlikely, but if we can get a result in or not and if day five proves to be important will be decided by the weather and how play has developed in the previous four days.
