After four energy-sapping Tests, both India and England limp into the fifth and final match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval – battered, bruised, and missing key players. Yet, what awaits is a firecracker finale, with India needing a win to draw the series 2-2, and England trying to fend off a resurgent tourist side.
Each Test has gone down to the wire, with fast bowlers grinding through long spells and teams stretched to their mental and physical limits. While England lead 2-1, the fourth Test at Old Trafford shifted momentum decisively – India’s defiant draw, built on centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, dented the hosts both physically and psychologically.
Captain Gill to Decide Bumrah Fate on Match Day
India captain Shubman Gill has confirmed that a final call on Jasprit Bumrah’s availability will be made on match day. “We will take a decision tomorrow,” Gill said in the pre‑match press conference. “Wicket looks very green. So let’s see.”
He has been told to be prepared… We will take a call on the final XI after assessing the pitch later today.
Tempers Flare, Tempers Boil
The Manchester Test didn’t just end in a draw – it ended in drama. When England captain Ben Stokes offered to call off play early, Jadeja and Sundar stood firm, refusing to leave the crease and both notching memorable centuries. Stokes, and the English team, looked visibly rattled.
The buildup to the Oval Test began on a similar note. A heated argument reportedly broke out between India coach Gautam Gambhir and Oval curator Lee Fortis over access to the pitch.
We’ve all played enough cricket to know curators are overprotective about pitches. But they should understand they’re speaking to highly skilled professionals.
No Stokes, Big setback for England
England suffered a massive setback on the eve of the Test, with Stokes ruled out due to a muscle tear in his right shoulder.
I came down trying to find ways to contribute with the bat. But the risk was too high. I wouldn’t expect anyone else to take this risk either.
The talismanic all-rounder has been England’s standout player – scoring 321 runs, taking 17 wickets, and bowling a punishing 140 overs across the four Tests. His absence leaves a glaring void in leadership and balance. Vice-captain Ollie Pope will lead the side.
Also missing for England: Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, and Brydon Carse, all left out of the XI.
India’s Injury Concerns – But Depth on Display
India, too, will be without two of their match-winners – Rishabh Pant (fractured foot) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (injury). Pant has been phenomenal with the bat, averaging 68.42 this series. His replacement in the squad is Narayan Jagadeesan, but Dhruv Jurel is expected to don the gloves.
India Eye the Oval Edge
India have dominated statistically and shown mental resilience across close contests. With no Stokes and England’s seamers visibly fatigued, India sense a rare overseas series turnaround opportunity.
As Gill reflected on the series: “After four days, it was often hard to predict a winner… Every match has been very close. It’s been a good learning experience for us and we are hopeful of finishing on a high.”
Considering we lost key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami and R. Ashwin before the tour, to get to this point is credit to the squad.
Probable Playing XIs: England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue
India: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh.
