🏏India tour of England 2025: 5th Test: Eng vs India- Oval, London🏏 - Page 2

In a series where batters have ruled the roost so far, the Oval could well provide a shift from the usual narrative. A day ahead of the fixture, a good covering of grass was visible on the pitch, which would make every seamer lick their lips. The surface at the venue has traditionally been the best batting wicket in England, where the pitch usually gets better to bat as the match progresses.

All of the last 11 Tests have produced a result at the Oval with the last draw being recorded back during the final Test of the 2013 Ashes. The weather could also influence the captain’s decision at the toss as rain is expected to interrupt all five days of the match. Hence, with overcast conditions throughout five days and a tinge of green on the surface, the fifth Test could well be the most different yet exciting script of the series so far.

ENGLAND VS INDIA: HEAD-TO-HEAD

India and England have faced off 14 times at the Oval, where India have emerged victorious on two occasions and have lost five matches. The Asian Giants have happy memories of their last tour at the venue, where they made a remarkable comeback after being behind in the first innings and went on to win by 157 runs.

For England, the Oval has been the second most successful ground in their history with 45 wins from 106 matches. Since 2000, England have lost seven matches at the Oval, out of which four have come against subcontinent teams.

ENG v IND, 5th TEST TEAM NEWS

England have announced their team one day ahead of the match and, as captain Ben Stokes hinted after the fourth Test, they have made four changes to their playing XI. The biggest loss is their captain Stokes himself, who’s the heart and soul of the England side and was fresh from back-to-back Player of the Match performances at Lord’s and Manchester.

Apart from him, fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse have been rested to make way for fresh legs of Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue. In the spin department, Liam Dawson also finds himself out of the team and has been replaced by all-rounder Jacob Bethell while Jamie Overton will try and fill the massive shoes left behind by Stokes.

Ollie Pope will serve the leadership duties in Stokes’ absence, he’s captained the team in four matches so far and lost just once, which co-incidentally came at the Oval vs Sri Lanka in 2024.

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In a dramatic series that’s seen all four Tests go into the fifth day, England will miss batter, bowler, showman and most importantly, captain Ben Stokes for its finale. After pushing through blows, bruises, strains and cramps, Stokes’ fitness hasn’t endured. In his stead stands Ollie Pope, a player who was probably unsure of his own spot in the lead up to this game. Instead, he finds himself with the added burden of captaincy along with the mounting weight of his silent willow. Yet, as he returns to his home ground, one where he averages 74.60 in first-class cricket, it might be his best, if not last, opportunity to respond to his sceptics.

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09:30 Local Time, 08:30 GMT, 14:00 IST: They say first impressions last. In his debut series as captain, Shubman Gill has impressed. He’s led with intent and by example - qualities that underline the promise he’s shown as a leader. But when judgements are passed, results will count for far more than promise. Results are a captain’s currency and Gill will not want the beginning of his tenure marked by a series defeat, one that will inevitably linger. Sometimes, stalemate is victory - a sentiment that prevailed when India secured a fighting draw at Manchester, and one that will ring true again should they manage to level the series. For that to happen, Gill and his men need an outright win here at The Oval, not just a moral one. This is the beginning of the end of a gruelling series where India will be looking to summon their spirits for one final collective charge.

Pitch report: "Captains always bowl first here. Surrey also don’t play a front-line spinner here. Good covering of grass but there are also some bare patches. There’s live grass on the surface for the first time in the series but the seamers cannot get carried away by it" says Nasser Hussain.

India haven’t been spared from the tribulations of the series either. In fact, they’ve been hit harder. At Manchester, it was Pant’s presence at the crease that made the headlines after he sustained a broken foot. Today, at The Oval, it will be his absence that’ll be noted. Having already played the three Tests he promised to, Bumrah is likely to be rested and India too, like England, will also be without their talisman. England’s selections, or rather their non-selection of a front-line spinner, might be telling of the surface on offer. India’s combination still remains shrouded in mystery but what’s certain is that there will be changes.