Rampaging India look to increase Cook’s woes

new delhi — A rampant India will look to create history in the fifth and final Test against England from Friday by piling more misery on Alastair Cook in what could be his last outing as the tourists’ skipper.

After completing an innings victory in the fourth Test on Monday in Mumbai, Virat Kohli’s men will become the first Indian team to go unbeaten in 18 matches by avoiding defeat in the series finale in Chennai.

The majestic Kohli, who is in the form of his life after striking his third double century of the year, is in no mood to ease up on their beleaguered visitors.

After putting the outcome of the series beyond doubt, Kohli said India would now “really express ourselves fully” in Chennai and hope to make it 4-0 against opponents who had been something of a bogey team.

England had won their last three series against India, including their tour in 2012 at the start of Cook’s record-breaking tenure as captain.

Four years on, Cook’s appetite for the job is being increasingly called into question and the skipper himself has spoken of the possibility of stepping down while continuing to be available for selection as a batsman.

“If he still feels the same way he did when he started, if every defeat hurts him as much now as it did then, I believe he should carry on,” Nasser Hussain, one of Cook’s predecessors, wrote in the Daily Mail.

“But if any part of him feels as if he’s taking the job for granted, then he should have a serious think about handing it over to Joe Root. It’s not a job you do lightly.”

After the Mumbai Test, Cook said he had still to decide on his future but he raised eyebrows by declaring that Joe Root — his most likely successor — should be ready to take on the task.

“You start having questions, of course you do,” said Cook as he was quizzed about whether he wanted to soldier on after 58 Tests as captain.

“I think Joe Root is ready to captain England. He’s ready because he’s a clued-up guy, he’s got the respect of everyone in the changing room.” —

If he still feels the same way he did when he started, if every defeat hurts him as much now as it did then, I believe he should carry on

Hussain on Cook’s captaincy