With England leading the series 2-1, all eyes turn to The Oval for the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. After the fourth Test ended in a dramatic draw, India will be desperate to level the series, while England will look to seal another home victory. The stakes are high as two powerhouses of Test cricket clash in what promises to be a thrilling decider.
Pitch report
Traditionally a batting-friendly surface early on, The Oval offers good bounce and pace for strokeplay. As the game progresses, cracks could open up, offering assistance to spinners. Seamers will be in play if the overhead conditions remain cloudy. A first-innings score of around 350+ will be considered par.
Weather report
The forecast for the first three days looks mostly clear, with mild cloud cover, which should assist swing bowlers. However, light showers are predicted on Days 4 and 5, which could play a role if the match stretches into the final sessions.
England vs India squads
England: Ben Stokes (c), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
India: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj
Top players
Shubman Gill: The Indian captain has led from the front, showcasing his growing maturity with the bat. Gill has scored four centuries in the series so far, mastering both pace and spin in challenging English conditions. His ability to absorb pressure and play long innings has been key to India’s resistance, especially in the drawn fourth Test. At The Oval, he’ll be vital again in setting the tone against the new ball.
Joe Root: Joe Root remains England’s most composed and technically proficient batter, offering stability amid high-pressure moments. With a stellar record against India, he thrives when the stakes are high—whether it's countering fiery spells or holding the innings together. Root's presence at the crease continues to be the anchor around which England builds.
Ravindra Jadeja: Arguably in the form of his life, Jadeja has been India's most complete performer this series. With five 50+ scores, including an unbeaten century at Old Trafford, he’s matched records held by legends like Sir Garfield Sobers. With the ball, his control and subtle variations have tied down England’s middle order. His experience and all-round capabilities give India a crucial edge in high-pressure situations.
Chris Woakes: England’s unsung hero in home Tests, Woakes has once again proven his worth with the ball, especially under cloudy skies. His seam movement and disciplined line make him lethal in helpful conditions, and his ability to contribute with the bat adds depth to the England lineup. Expect him to be a major threat, particularly in the first innings.
Prediction
Given the form of India’s top-order and the determination they showed at Old Trafford, the visitors will come in with momentum. However, England’s familiarity with home conditions and their depth in pace and spin make them slight favourites. Expect a tight contest, but a draw or an England win seems most likely unless India’s bowling unit produces something exceptional.
