England (ENG) and India (IND) are set to face off in the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, starting Thursday, July 31, at the Kennington Oval in London. The hosts hold a 2-1 lead in the series, but the visitors remain in contention to level the score after securing a draw in the last Test.

England vs India 5th Test: Preview

Who doesn’t enjoy a touch of drama with their Test cricket? Let’s be honest — you’re just as engrossed as the players themselves. Emotional overdrive has been the recurring theme this week, from England’s petty antics in the dying moments at Manchester to Gautam Gambhir’s expletive-laden exchange with the Oval groundsman. As the series heads into its grand finale, tensions are boiling over and stakes couldn’t be higher. Regardless of where you stand on the conduct displayed, one thing is clear: the next five days will be anything but routine. This series has taken on a life of its own.

When it comes to English cricket, invoking the Ashes is practically inevitable—it’s the sport’s own version of Godwin’s Law. Yet it’s striking how different the mood is heading into this fifth Test, especially when compared to the last time a drawn match at Old Trafford teed up a finale at The Oval. Back in the 2023 Ashes, England were the ones charging forward—buoyed by the Bazball buzz they’ve ridden for the past three years. Now, though they lead the series, there’s an unmistakable hint of unease in their stride.

Ben Stokes, even while gesturing for handshakes from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, surely knew his shoulder issue was no minor setback. His absence is a game-changer for both sides. At Old Trafford, he summoned the best of his all-round prowess — claiming a brilliant five-wicket haul before notching his first Test century in over two years. But now, he returns to a more familiar storyline: the physical toll of a player whose relentless drive is at odds with his body’s limits.

He’ll be back — most likely in time for the Ashes — but this isn’t the ending Stokes envisioned for his most impactful series as a Test bowler. Yet, with Brendon McCullum’s earlier signals from the Lord’s balcony about workload management, it appears England had long suspected this might be the price to pay.

Despite England’s advantage on the scoreboard, it’s India’s batters who dominate the run charts—owning the top four spots and registering 11 centuries to England’s seven. Bazball’s faith in bowling long and racing through innings has its limits, and the mental toll of prolonged, often unrewarded spells in the field is starting to show. The surfaces, already a hot topic before Lee Fortis entered the fray, have been mostly lifeless, offering little relief—bar the odd helpful session. Chris Woakes’ underwhelming returns—10 wickets at an average of 52.80, a stark contrast to his career home average of 21.59—exemplify the broader struggles of England’s attack, which has appeared increasingly blunt and fatigued.

Joe Root, meanwhile, has scored two centuries at The Oval, both coming against India — an unbeaten 149 in 2014 and a well-crafted 125 in 2018.

Ollie Pope has captained England in four Tests — winning three and losing one — during last year’s home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. His performance reflects the inconsistencies in his career: a sublime 154 on this ground against Sri Lanka, but just 37 runs across the remaining six innings.

For India, it’s fast becoming a golden opportunity to flip the narrative in a series that seemed out of reach when Chris Woakes left them reeling at 0 for 2 in their second innings at Old Trafford. If it wasn’t evident then, it certainly is now — England’s visible frustration over India’s milestone-chasing was less about sporting etiquette and more about their own fatigue after an exhausting 143 overs in the field. They had expected to seal the series with a game to spare, perhaps even coast into the final Test with room to breathe. Instead, they found themselves clinging to control during a chaotic final hour, their vulnerability on full display. And now, just four days on, they begin anew — minus their talisman and with a refreshed bowling line-up.

India aren’t without their own worries in the bowling department either. To level the series, they must take 20 wickets, yet their performance with the ball during England’s lone innings at Old Trafford was alarmingly uninspired. Joe Root and Ben Stokes dictated terms after Duckett and Crawley provided a brisk start. With Jasprit Bumrah ruled out, the pressure shifts to Akash Deep and Mohammad Siraj—the duo who shared 17 wickets in that unforgettable triumph at Edgbaston.

With 722 runs in the series so far — including four centuries — Shubman Gill is closing in on a number of historic batting milestones, with up to two innings remaining. Only Clyde Walcott, in 1955, has scored five hundreds in a single series, while no batter has crossed the 800-run mark in a series since Mark Taylor during the 1989 Ashes. The great Don Bradman achieved the feat three times, including his still-standing record of 974 runs in the 1930 Ashes — a mark Gill is now 252 runs away from, a gap smaller than his highest score in this series.

Shubman Gill is just 89 runs away from surpassing Sir Don Bradman’s tally of 810 runs in the 1936/37 Ashes — the highest ever by a player in their first series as Test captain.

There are two ways to arrive at The Oval via the London Underground. The more direct option is the Northern Line, which drops you so close you can practically hear the turnstiles clicking. Step off at Oval station — named after the ground itself — walk through tiled corridors decorated with cricket motifs, emerge into daylight, and within moments, the weathered façade of Surrey’s historic pavilion greets you. The alternate route, via the Victoria Line to Vauxhall, is less direct but more immersive. It takes you through the buzz of commuters spilling from the national rail hub, past a couple of pubs, along a gentle bend in the road, and eventually to the ground itself — nestled behind red-brick flats and framed by the gleaming Alec Stewart Gates.

Both paths lead you to the same place. One’s efficient; the other, a richer experience. In many ways, India and England have taken the scenic route to The Oval too. All four Tests have gone the full five days. No easy wins, no games decided in a flash. Each of the 59 sessions so far has unfolded with patience and persistence — a fitting tribute to a newly named series that honours Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson, two masters of endurance in this format.

But this has been a battle of attrition, not just duration. Seven bowlers have clocked over 100 overs each. At Old Trafford, Ben Stokes pushed through with a tight hamstring and aching bicep, while Jasprit Bumrah dug deep, bowling with sheer willpower even if only one of his 198 deliveries crossed 140 kph. Now, Stokes has been sidelined, and Bumrah might be spared further strain. Yet players like Chris Woakes and Mohammed Siraj must carry on, beneath the looming presence of the old gasometer — now decommissioned and converted into flats, no longer of any help to depleted fast bowlers.

Perhaps this was always coming. When the stakes are this high, and the demands this unrelenting, something eventually breaks. Over the past two Tests, it’s not just bodies that have worn down — tempers have too. The atmosphere has soured, tension and animosity rising to the surface. Still, India may feel they’ve emerged with a moral edge: standing strong at Manchester, both before and during “handshake-gate,” and clearly rattling England in the process. In a series defined by narrow margins and long hours, they could just as easily have led 2-1.

Since the beginning of 2023, The Oval has hosted 22 first-class games where seamers have claimed 617 wickets compared to just 79 by spinners. This season alone, pace bowlers have accounted for 131 of the 150 wickets taken at the venue. And, in a revealing trend, captains have opted to bowl first in each of the last 21 first-class matches at The Oval — including India in last year’s World Test Championship Final against Australia.

And yet, the scales remain open. One final effort, one last stretch of grit and stamina — and India could walk away from The Oval with the scores level, and a series for the ages.

England vs India 5th Test: Recent Form

England DWLWW (last five Tests, most recent first)
India DLWLL

England vs India 5th Test: Head-to-head

India have recorded two victories in 15 Tests at The Oval, with wins coming in 1971 and 2021—the latter being their most recent match against England at this ground. However, their last appearance at The Oval ended in defeat, as they lost to Australia in the 2023 World Test Championship final.

• Matches Played: 140
• England Won: 53
• India Won: 36
• Matches Drawn: 51
• First Meeting: June 25–28, 1932
• Last Meeting: July 23–27, 2025

England vs India 5th Test: Weather Report & Pitch Conditions

Who would risk getting close enough to the pitch for a thorough assessment after the controversy that erupted on Monday? On the eve of the match, the surface still carried a green tinge, though conditions could shift significantly in the next 24 hours. The weather is expected to remain mostly warm, but showers are predicted for Thursday afternoon, with potential for more rain towards the latter stages of the Test.

Just three weeks ago, London was in the grip of a heatwave ahead of the Lord’s Test, but temperatures have since dropped, and light rain is forecast on at least three days—including the opening day. Every County Championship game at this venue this season saw teams opt to bowl first, with the highest totals typically coming in the third innings.

The only exception was the most recent match, when Surrey piled on 820/9 declared after being sent in by Durham—thanks to Dom Sibley’s triple century. However, Stokes noted on the eve of this Test that “this one looks to have a lot more live grass on the wicket than the other wickets we’ve been on.” England have also opted to leave out their specialist spinner, suggesting the pitch could offer extra help for seamers.

England vs India 5th Test: Team News and Predicted XI

England – Team News

“Pain is just an emotion,” Stokes remarked after the fourth Test. But Grade Three shoulder tears are a far more serious concern. His absence for the final Test is a massive setback for England’s chances of finishing the series on a high, especially since he’s been their standout and most effective bowler throughout the summer. Jacob Bethell comes in for his first Test of the season, and with him and Root forming a decent spin pairing, Dawson misses out. His exclusion also highlights England’s need to reinforce their pace options without Stokes. Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer underwhelmed at Old Trafford, and the revamped pace attack now features Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue.

The hosts will be without their inspirational captain for the series finale, with Surrey’s Ollie Pope taking over the leadership duties. His fellow county players, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton, return to the playing XI after building up their match fitness through a second XI game and a county fixture, respectively. Jofra Archer is also unavailable, with back-to-back Tests considered too demanding at this stage of his comeback. Stokes is replaced by Jacob Bethell at No. 6, who also provides left-arm spin, covering for Liam Dawson’s omission as England go with a four-seamer approach.

England – Confirmed XI

1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope (c)
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Jacob Bethell
7. Jamie Smith (wk)
8. Chris Woakes
9. Gus Atkinson
10. Jamie Overton
11. Josh Tongue

India – Team News

The most straightforward change for India is Dhruv Jurel stepping in for the injured Rishabh Pant. Losing their most consistent batter of the past five years presents a significant challenge and will test India’s balance between batting depth and bowling strength. Akash Deep is expected to return, while Bumrah is likely to be rested—though Gill was unwilling to confirm plans just yet. That sets up a potential choice between Prasidh Krishna or Arshdeep Singh to replace Anshul Kamboj, who struggled in his Test debut at Manchester. Considering the pitch and India’s requirement for batting depth, Kuldeep Yadav may be left out once again.

Bumrah is set to be rested by the Indian medical staff after a taxing spell in Manchester, where he bowled 33 overs and conceded over 100 runs in an innings for the first time. Akash Deep, who missed the last game, is the frontrunner to replace him. Anshul Kamboj, who had an underwhelming debut, is also likely to be dropped, with either Prasidh Krishna—expensive earlier in the series—or a now-fit Arshdeep Singh in line to come in. A decision is also pending on Shardul Thakur, who lacked clarity in his role during the Old Trafford Test. With India needing a win to square the series, could this finally be Kuldeep’s chance? Dhruv Jurel, who kept as a substitute in the last two Tests, is now officially in the side following Pant’s injury.

England – Predicted XI

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
2. KL Rahul
3. Sai Sudharsan
4. Shubman Gill (c)
5. Washington Sundar
6. Ravindra Jadeja
7. Dhruv Jurel (wk)
8. Shardul Thakur/Kuldeep Yadav
9. Akash Deep
10. Prasidh Krishna/Arshdeep Singh
11. Mohammed Siraj

England vs India 5th Test: Players Under the Spotlight

England – Jacob Bethell

For much of the summer—particularly after Ollie Pope silenced critics with a century in the opening Test—it seemed Jacob Bethell would remain on the sidelines, his reputation growing in his absence after his impressive debut as an emergency No. 3 in New Zealand last year. Now, much like Harry Brook in 2022, who also had to wait for his opportunity, Bethell gets his chance in the final Test of the summer—and the potential rewards for making it count are significant.

This week won’t just be about his talented batting; his abilities as a spin option will also be tested in the absence of Shoaib Bashir and Liam Dawson. In certain Ashes scenarios, that could pave another path into the England XI. But for now, his main focus will be to make an immediate impact in a series heavily shaped by batting performances.

India – Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar’s value has grown significantly over the course of this series. His selection for the second Test at Edgbaston initially appeared to be a cautious move, with many favouring the more flamboyant wristspin of Kuldeep Yadav. However, he contributed a crucial 42 from No. 8 to help set up a match-winning total, and his four-wicket burst at Lord’s highlighted his main strength once again.

Now, he has added a Test century to his name and found himself at the centre of England’s frustration during the tense final moments at Old Trafford. With Rishabh Pant sidelined, Sundar’s composure could be crucial to India’s chances of levelling the series, especially with Pant’s No. 5 spot once again open.

England vs India 5th Test: Match Prediction

With the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on the line and India trailing 1-2, the final Test at The Oval sets the stage for a spirited comeback. Both sides are slightly weakened—England missing Stokes and a frontline spinner, India without Bumrah and Pant—but the visitors arrive with belief, momentum, and the hunger to level the series. If Rahul, Gill, Jadeja, and Sundar continue their strong form and India bat second, they could gain control by Day 3. Should the weather hold and the bowlers strike early, India have every chance to force a result.

When and Where to Watch the England vs India 5th Test LIVE? Live Telecast and Streaming Details

The fifth and final test match between England and India will be held from Thursday, July 31 – August 4, with Day 1 starting at 3:30 PM IST. The match will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports network, and you can also stream it live on the JioHotstar website and app.

Read More: England Captain Ben Stokes Ruled Out of Decisive England vs India 5th Test as England Make Four Changes

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