England and India take on each other in the 5th and final encounter of the 5-match Test series. The 5th Test is set to be held at The Oval in London. Notably, England are 2-1 ahead in the series. The two sides come to this contest on the back of a draw at Old Trafford. This is therefore a must-win scenario for Team India. Notably, India won their last meeting against England at The Oval back in 2021, and they would want to pick up a 2nd successive win.

What is the Context of the ENG vs IND Match?

India, under Shubman Gill, saved themselves in the 4th Test after being 0/2 while trailing by 311 runs. KL Rahul, Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar all went on to carve out big scores to defy the hosts and force a draw on Day 5.

Coming into this contest, India will need to pick the right balance and be more attacking after the team selection came under the cosh for the 4th Test. For England too, they will perhaps rest some bowlers and pick fresh legs.

India will need to take a call on Jasprit Bumrah, who has played three of the 4 Tests. If he plays, then Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep will support him. If he is rested, one between Arshdeep Singh or Prasidh Krishna will replace the star pacer. For England, one can expect a couple of changes in the bowling attack especially with tired bowlers to be rested.

In terms of the H2H record, the two teams have met 140 times in Tests. England have won 53 games to India’s 37. Another 51 matches have been drawn. In 71 matches on English soil, England have claimed 38 wins, with India claiming 10 victories. 23 games have been drawn. As per Sponnethe two teams have met 14 times at The Oval. England have won 5 games with another 7 being drawn. India have claimed two wins here.

The match will start at 3:30pm IST.

England – Probable Playing XI

England have added Jamie Overton to the squad. It remains to be seen whether he makes the cut alongside Gus Atkinson.

Zak Crawley: The English opener owns two fifties across 7 innings in the ongoing 5-match series across 4 Tests. Crawley, who hit a solid 84 in the 4th Test, owns 3245 runs in the format at 31-plus.

Ben Duckett: The southpaw got back amongst the runs in the previous Test with a knock of 94. Before that, he failed in two successive Tests after having started the series well with 62 and 149 at Headingley.

Ollie Pope: The experienced 27-year old got an important 71 in the 4th Test. The number three batter owns 257 runs at 36.71 from 4 Tests in the ongoing series. He surpassed 3500 Test runs in Manchester.

Joe Root: The England ace struck his 38th ton in the 4th Test and also became the 2nd-highest scorer in the format. Root averages over 67 in the ongoing series with 400-plus runs. He has two tons and a fifty.

Harry Brook: Barring a 99 and a score of 158, the right-handed batter, hasn’t quite managed to gain a strong hold in this series. He will be keen to score some much needed runs in the 5th Test.

Ben Stokes (captain): He has been the player of the tournament so far. He owns 304 runs and 17 wickets to bring immense value. England will hope Stokes recovers from a muscle cramp and is able to bowl for the side.

Jamie Smith (wk): The wicketkeeper batter has amassed the most runs for England in this series. He averages 84.80. Smith will want to make his bat talk and help England.

Gus Atkinson: He is expected to come in for Chris Woakes, who featured in the 1st 4 Tests. Atkinson, who was out with injury, was added to the squad ahead of the 3rd Test. However, he sat out at both Lord’s and Old Trafford.

Jamie Overton: He could come in for Brydon Carse, who has played all 4 matches. England would want to hand Carse a rest and try Overton, who is just one Test old, but owns 237 scalps in First-Class cricket.

Liam Dawson: The spinner who replaced Shoaib Bashir for the 4th Test, will keep his place in the starting XI. Dawson can bowl long spells but needs to find wickets.

Jofra Archer: The fast bowler has done a reasonable job for England since coming into the side after injury. He has played two successive Tests and looks set to play a third game on the trot.

Player to watch out for (Joe Root): The star batter is our Player to watch out for. Root owns 793 runs here at The Oval at 41.73 with the help of 2 tons and 4 fifties.

Predicted India Playing XI

India are likely to bring in Kuldeep Yadav as the 3rd spinner. He hasn’t played any of the 4 matches so far. Rishabh Pant is injured so Dhruv Jurel will come in. Akash Deep is fit and will come in.

Yashasvi Jaiswal: The youngster has blown hot and cold. He owns three-fifty scores in the series, but has failed in the 5 other innings, which includes two ducks.

KL satisfied: The star versatile batter has shown plenty of maturity and finesse. He has been a rock for the Indian team. With 500-plus runs in the series, Rahul is key to India’s success. He owns two tons and two fifties.

Sai Sudharsan: India handed the youngster his 2nd outing in Manchester. He responded with 61 and 0. Earlier, he bagged 0 and 20 in the 1st Test. He is still a work in progress.

Shubman Gill (captain): With over 700 runs, Gill with an average of 90.25, has smashed 4 tons in the ongoing series. Gill, who has been amongst the records, will want nothing but a win.

Dhruv Jurel (WK): He kept for India with Pant suffering from different injuries in the previous two Tests. Now, he will get a big chance in the XI. One hopes he will grab it with both arms.

Washington Sundar: A hundred in the last match, Sundar has shown plenty of heart with both bat and ball. He will be keen to come out at number six and express himself.

RAVINDRA JADEJA: He has been amongst the runs and has 5 fifty-plus scores in this series which includes a ton in Manchester. In Jadeja, India get an assured number seven.

Kuldeep Yadav: If India are to come strong at England, they need to use their best spin weapon in Kuldeep. It’s likely Kuldeep could get the nod with his attacking wrist-spin. He will add value.

Mohammed Siraj: The right-arm pacer wasn’t up to his best in the 4th Test. Siraj, who has 14 wickets in this series, remains a vital cog. He will give his all once again and be a leader.

Akash Deep: He missed the previous Test with an injury but is set to be back and lend his voice. India need his services to get an assuring presence in the ranks.

Jasprit bumrah: Despite India deciding to field him for only three Tests, Bumrah could get a fourth as India didn’t bowl the 4th innings in Manchester which aided Bumrah’s workload. With a must-win scenario in place, India need Bumrah.

Player to watch out for (KL Rahul): Rahul blunting the new ball and playing to his strengths will be massive for India.

Pitch Report & Venue Conditions

Historically, the surface here starts flat but deteriorates over the next days. Spinners will have a say in the final two days. Pacers will get seam movement and purchase with the new ball. Overall, it’s another track that will assist batters at large. As mentioned, spinners come into play later as cracks widen and the bounce becomes uneven. Fast bowlers need to stay patient and bowl consistently in the right channels.

Match Prediction – Who Has the Upper Hand?

Nothing much to separate the two teams. India will want to attack knowing it’s a game they need to win. England will be patient and play smart. A draw is enough for them to win the series.

FAQs About ENG vs IND Playing 11

Who is not playing in the ENG vs IND clash?

Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse are likely to be rested for England. For India, Rishabh Pant is out with an injury. Anshul Kamboj and Shardul Thakur are set to be dropped for Kuldeep and Akash Deep.