Ravichandran Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow will have contrasting feelings as they prepare for the fifth Test between India and England that begins in Dharamsala on Thursday.
The series finale is the 100th Test for both Ashwin and Bairstow. But while the Indian off-spinner enters the match on a high, having played a crucial role in winning the series in the fourth Test in Ranchi, the out-of-form England middle- order batsman has had questions raised about his spot in the team.
It was Ashwin's five-wicket haul in the second innings in Ranchi that restricted England to 145 after the visitors had taken a first-innings lead.
India secured victory in a tense chase of 192 on a pitch that got increasingly difficult to bat on, underscoring the importance and timing of Ashwin's 5-51.
However, the 37-year-old said he was not particularly excited about the milestone, adding his family was looking forward to it more.
"It does not mean anything to me," Ashwin said in Dharamsala. "It means a lot to my wife and my mom. My daughters are more excited than I am. It's just a number."
The off-spinner had passed the milestone of 500 wickets in the third match of the series that India have now wrapped up 3-1.
He left that match midway to be with his ailing mother before returning to be part of India's victory in Rajkot, acknowledging the strain his career had put on his loved ones.
"Playing Indian cricket for such a long time and being on the road, the kind of sacrifice the family makes is enormous."
Bairstow, on the other hand, has had a forgettable tour, scoring just 170 runs in eight outings. The fifth Test could well turn out to be make or break for Bairstow in red-ball cricket.
The Yorkshire batsman said he will try his best to make his 100th Test a memorable one, even though the series has been lost.
"It means a hell of a lot," said Bairstow. "Every young kid that sets out on a journey playing professional cricket wants to try and play 100 Test matches.
"You look back to 2012 when I made my debut at Lord's, if 12 years later you'd said I'd be playing 100 Test matches, you'd snap your hand off for one but also pinching yourself as well.
"It's great to have my family out here, it's an amazing place to come, they've come to some pretty cool places along the way as well. It's a special occasion for everyone who has been there on the journey."
Bairstow admitted the series has not turned out the way he wanted. Having yet to pass 40 in four Tests in this series, there has been speculation he might be overlooked in the summer with Harry Brook to come back into the England side.
As for whether he can cash in on his landmark appearance in England's final assignment on the tour, Bairstow was optimistic.
"It would be nice," said Bairstow. "Like in every game, you put your best foot forward.
"No matter what it is, I'll be going out there, chewing my gum, puffing my chest out and trying to have a good time with the other 10 blokes out there.
"Whatever the situation is, we'll be going out there with smiles on our faces, like we have done in the whole series."
Weather is likely to play a major role in the match, with temperatures expected to drop to low single digits.
Veteran seamer James Anderson is two short of the 700-wicket mark in Test cricket, and will hope to reach the milestone at the scenic venue where 5,000 England supporters are expected to turn up.
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'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Rating: 4/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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MATCH INFO
Liverpool 3
Sadio Man 28'
Andrew Robertson 34'
Diogo Jota 88'
Arsenal 1
Lacazette 25'
Man of the match
Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
more from Janine di Giovanni
Company Profile
Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
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UAE SQUAD
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan
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RACE CARD
5pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Purebred Arabian Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (T) 1,600m
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8pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (T); 1,400m
The National photo project
Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).
The biog
Favourite Quote: “Real victories are those that protect human life, not those that result from its destruction emerge from its ashes,” by The late king Hussain of Jordan.
Favourite Hobby: Writing and cooking
Favourite Book: The Prophet by Gibran Khalil Gibran
