Shubman Gill-led India aim to level the series against England at the Oval
The Indian cricket team has played 15 Test matches at the Oval since 1936. They have registered two victories, seven draws and suffered six defeats to date.
30 July, 2025
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If you think F1, Jurassic World Rebirth, Superman, and Saiyaara were blockbusters, think again. The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has probably received more reviews with the words 'Absolute Cinema’ than these movies put together.
The climax of the thrilling five-match Test series is on the horizon and the final five days of cricket are in store which promise action, thrill, drama, comedy and every genre one can think of. Okay, that may have been a bit too exaggerated, as we may not really see any horror, hopefully.
With England currently leading the series 2-1, the Gautam Gambhir-coached India will be determined to bring their A-game to register a victory at the Oval to level the series 2-2. Interestingly, India haven’t lost a Test series against England since 2018.
Led by captain Shubman Gill, the young Indian side has already showcased their immense credentials and fighting spirit in the previous four Tests despite multiple injury concerns.
India and England have already delivered a series that will be remembered for ages to come, with both cricketing heavyweights gearing up for a pulsating series-decider at the Oval.
In the absence of stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, the Shubman Gill-led India have played some impressive all-round cricket, and will head into the Oval Test after securing a draw from the jaws of defeat in the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester.
While India will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten run against England in the longest format, the visitors have suffered a massive blow as vice-captain and star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the Oval Test after he suffered a fractured toe during the fourth Test.
Pant was in brilliant form in the ongoing Test series, having amassed 479 runs in seven innings at an impressive average of 68.43, with two centuries and three fifties.
Tamil Nadu batter Narayan Jagadeesan has been announced as Pant’s replacement. However, Dhruv Jurel is expected to take up the wicketkeeping responsibilities in the final Test at the Oval.
Furthermore, India will also miss the services of their bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in the must-win encounter, due to workload management.
Bumrah is currently the joint-leading wicket-taker for India in the series with 14 wickets in three Tests at an average of 26.
Akash Deep, who missed the Manchester Test with a groin niggle, is likely to replace Bumrah in India’s playing XI. The 28-year-old has been one of the standout bowlers in the five-match series with 11 scalps in two games.
In the absence of Bumrah, India’s premier fast bowler Mohammed Siraj will once again lead the pace attack in the final Test. The Gujarat Titans pacer has been the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the series with 14 wickets in four Tests.
After a below-par performance on his Test debut, pacer Anshul Kamboj will be under pressure heading into the Oval Test. Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh are the two options to replace Anshul as the third pacer.
Considering the pitch conditions and weather in London, all-rounder Shardul Thakur could retain his place to provide batting depth, which means no place for Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI.
On the other hand, England captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the fifth and final Test with a torn shoulder muscle. Vice-captain Ollie Pope will lead the hosts at the Oval.
Star pacers Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse have also been rested for the final Test, while all-rounder Liam Dawson has been left out.
Jacob Bethell, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton and Josh Tongue are the four changes in England’s playing XI for the Oval Test.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on India’s Test captain Shubman Gill, who will have a chance to break multiple records in the final Test at the Oval.
With 722 runs in four Tests, Gill has led from the front in the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The 25-year-old needs one run to surpass Garry Sobers’ record of most runs by a captain in a Test series away from home.
Gill also needs 53 runs to break Sunil Gavaskar’s (774) record of most runs in a Test series for India.
Additionally, the Gujarat Titans skipper needs another 253 runs to break Don Bradman’s world record (974) of most runs in a Test series.
India’s Test record at the Oval
India have previously played 15 Test matches at the Oval since 1936. India have registered two victories, six defeats, while as many as seven Tests have ended in draws at the venue.
England’s Test squad: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue
Where to watch India vs England Tests 2025 live
The India vs England Tests 2025 will be telecast live on Sony Sports 1, Sony Sports 5, Sony Sports 3 (Hindi), and Sony Sports 4 (Tamil and Telugu) TV channels.
Live streaming of the IND vs ENG Tests 2025 will be available on the JioHotstar app and website in India.
