In the fifth and final Test of the series at Kennington Oval in London, England faces India with the series score at 2-1 in favor of the Three Lions. A win for England would secure them the series with a 3-1 margin, while a draw would suffice, leaving India with no chance to clinch the series. For India, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, this match is crucial as they seek to level the series at 2-2.
England will be without star bowler Jofra Archer, who has been rested to manage his long-standing injury issues. Archer returned to Test cricket in the third match after a four-year absence and played in the fourth Test as well. Ben Stokes is also absent due to a torn shoulder muscle sustained during the previous match, where he continued to play despite the discomfort.
The English lineup has seen several changes beyond Archer and Stokes, with Brydon Carse also rested and Liam Dawson dropped after making a return to the Test side for the first time in eight years. Ollie Pope takes over as captain in Stokes’ absence, leading a team that includes new players Jacob Bethell, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue.
On the Indian side, they have made four adjustments as well. Rishabh Pant is sidelined with a fractured foot, and Jasprit Bumrah has been rested. The team sees the inclusion of Dhruv Jurel, Akash Deep, Karun Nair, and Prasidh Krishna in place of Kamboj and Thakur.
The playing XIs for both teams are as follows:
India: Shubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj.
England: Ollie Pope (Captain), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue.
Both teams are looking to make a mark in this decisive match, with England aiming to solidify their lead and India determined to finish the series on a high note.
There’s a sense of hope as both teams put forth their best efforts in a match that promises to be thrilling. Fans can expect high-intensity cricket as the players rise to the occasion, aiming not only for personal achievements but also for the glory of their respective teams.