In extended winter, prediction of rain and natural conditions at the foothills of the Himalayas has made controlling the moisture level in the pitch a crucial factor for the fifth and final Test against England.

Fast bowlers will get assistance if there is more moisture, something the ground staff are keeping an eye on as the plan is to roll out a pitch that will go the distance.

It is understood that despite there being a nine-gap between the fourth and fifth Test, the pitch preparations for Dharamsala began almost a week before. The Indian Express understands that the current climatic situation prevailing in the region made the BCCI and the HPCA to start work early.

Although the overhead conditions and weather could make England a lot more at home than India, the 22 yards will be more to the liking of the hosts, said a source.

'It all depends on moisture levels. If it is on the higher side, it would aid the seamers. And since the natural conditions would definitely bring more moisture, one needsto start the preparations early.

Instead of starting it 10 days before the Test, the work began 15-20 days in advance.

It will also give everyone a fair picture of how the pitch behaves and the ground staff can prepare accordingly. There could be movement because of overhead conditions, but there won't be seam movement off the pitch,' sources in the know told The Indian Express.

Traditional slow pitches

So far in this series, India have preferred to play on traditional slow pitches, which has offered turn as the Test progresses. However, India were unhappy with the conditions at Ranchi, where the ball began to keep low from Day 2, making it all the more challenging on the final day.