India is set to face England in the crucial fifth and final Test match at Kennington Oval, with the series still on the line for the visitors.
Match Details and How to Watch
The final Test of the series is scheduled to begin on Thursday at the iconic Kennington Oval in London. This match presents India with a vital opportunity to draw the series level.
Fans can catch all the action live on the Sony Sports Network. For those preferring to stream, the match will also be available on the JioHotstar app and website.
India’s Challenges and Playing XI
While India’s batters showed resilience in the Manchester Test, bailing the team out of trouble, the bowling attack has faced scrutiny. Debutant Anshul Kamboj struggled with pace, and other bowlers reportedly lacked accuracy, raising questions about India’s selection for this crucial game.
A significant change in the Indian lineup will see Dhruv Jurel step in for the injured Rishabh Pant as wicketkeeper. Jurel has shown promise in domestic and India A matches, but his ability to perform under the pressure of a series-deciding Test will be closely watched.
Predicted India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
England’s Strategy and Lineup
England will undoubtedly be disappointed with the outcome of the last Test, especially after having controlled large portions of the game. For the final encounter, they might look to tweak their fast-bowling combination.
With Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes having played four Tests each, there’s a possibility of workload management influencing selection. England could opt for a change to ensure their pacers are fresh and effective.
Predicted England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer.
Key Players to Watch Out For
For India, all eyes will be on Dhruv Jurel. Stepping into the shoes of an influential player like Rishabh Pant, Jurel’s performance with both bat and gloves will be critical in a high-stakes match.
England’s captain, Ben Stokes, continues to be a pivotal figure. Even on a docile Manchester wicket, his bowling has created chances, and his all-round capabilities, including a recent knock of 141, make him a player who can turn the tide.
Head-to-Head and Pitch Report
In the 140 Test matches played between India and England, England holds the advantage with 53 wins compared to India’s 36, with 51 matches ending in a draw.
The Oval pitch is widely regarded as one of England’s best surfaces. Traditionally, it offers assistance to seamers on Day 1, becomes excellent for batting on Days 2 and 3, and then starts to take turn on the final two days. This balance makes it an exciting prospect for a Test match.
Weather Forecast
According to Accuweather, rain is anticipated for the first two days of the Test match. This weather forecast could significantly influence the captains’ decisions at the toss, with the winning side potentially opting to bowl first to utilize any early seaming and swinging conditions.
- India has a chance to draw the series in the final Test.
- Dhruv Jurel will replace the injured Rishabh Pant for India.
- England may rotate their fast bowlers due to workload concerns.
- The Oval pitch is expected to offer a good contest for all aspects of the game.
- Rain could impact the early stages of the match.
As the series reaches its climax, both teams will be aiming for a decisive performance to end on a high note.
