As the final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy kicks off on Thursday, July 31 at the Kennington Oval in London, both England and India are geared up for one last battle in what has been a fiercely fought series. With England leading 2-1, India needs nothing less than a win to level the series and salvage pride on English soil.
Match Details:
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Match: England vs India, Fifth Test, India Tour of England 2025
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Date: July 31 – August 4
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Time: 3:30 PM IST
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Venue: Kennington Oval, London
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Broadcast: Sony Sports Network & JioHotstar (app & website)
Series So Far:
The five-match series has produced a blend of dominant performances and tight finishes. England started strong, winning the opening Test at Leeds by five wickets. India responded emphatically at Edgbaston to level the series 1-1. The hosts bounced back with a thrilling last-session win at Lord’s to take a 2-1 lead. However, India fought back hard in Manchester, with centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, and a 90-run knock by KL Rahul to force a draw.
Now, heading into the final Test at The Oval, the equation is simple: India must win to draw the series, while England aim to seal it 3-1.
Team Overviews:
England:
With Ben Stokes ruled out due to a shoulder injury, Ollie Pope takes over captaincy duties. The Three Lions have made four changes to their playing XI. Out go Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and Stokes. In come promising names like Jacob Bethell, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue. With a mix of experienced batters and a pace-heavy attack, England will look to dominate on home turf.
India:
India faces selection headaches of their own. Jasprit Bumrah is unavailable, likely paving the way for Akash Deep. Arshdeep Singh is tipped to make his Test debut, while Kuldeep Yadav is expected to replace Shardul Thakur. Skipper Shubman Gill leads a side filled with promising youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and Dhruv Jurel, with all-rounders Jadeja and Sundar holding the middle order together.
Probable Playing XIs:
England (Announced):
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 (Predicted):
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj
Key Players to Watch:
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Joe Root (ENG): England’s batting backbone, Root’s form can determine the game’s flow.
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Chris Woakes (ENG): With Stokes out, Woakes becomes the leader of the English bowling attack.
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Shubman Gill (IND): Leading from the front, Gill’s batting has been crucial in India’s fightbacks.
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Ravindra Jadeja (IND): With both bat and ball, Jadeja remains India’s most reliable all-rounder.
Head-to-Head in Tests:
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Total Matches: 140
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England Wins: 53
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India Wins: 36
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Draws: 51
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First Meeting: June 1932
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Last Meeting: July 23-27, 2025
Pitch Report – Kennington Oval:
The Oval traditionally offers assistance to both batters and bowlers depending on the day. Spinners enjoy early turn on Days 1 and 2, averaging just 25—the best for any English venue. Pacers tend to dominate on Day 3, while Day 4 often becomes batter-friendly. Captains have recently preferred to bowl first here, though the win success rate for chasing teams stands at just 40%. India’s record at the Oval is modest: 2 wins, 6 losses, and 7 draws in 15 matches, with their last win coming in 2021.
Match Scenarios and Prediction:
With the stakes at their highest, India’s young squad will be under pressure to deliver in unfamiliar conditions. The absence of Bumrah weakens their pace attack, but the debut of Arshdeep Singh and inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav may add freshness to the lineup. For England, the loss of Stokes is a blow, but their deep pace bench and home advantage keep them favourites.
However, if India’s top order clicks and the spinners exploit the Oval surface early, a draw or even an Indian win isn’t out of question. But on paper and form, England have a slight edge.
Prediction: England to edge out India in a closely fought contest and seal the series 3-1.