ENG vs IND Match Prediction 2025 5th Test: Match Preview, Pitch Report and Who will win Today’s Match?

ENG vs IND Match Preview

The England vs India Test series has been a thrilling series which has kept the fans at the edge of their seat with the regular actions, war of words between both the teams.

The fifth Test is a crucial encounter for both teams. England, led by Ben Stokes, will aim to secure a series-clinching victory at home, or even a draw would do for them. Meanwhile, India, under Shubman Gill’s leadership, must win to level the series at 2-2 and salvage pride after what has been an exciting but challenging tour.

In the fourth Test match in Manchester, Team India had to bat 2 days to just salvage a draw out of it and to make the series decider to the Kenning Oval, also known as The Oval, in London.

It was the England captain Ben Stokes who won the toss and opted to bowl first. They got Team India all-out for 358 runs in the 1st innings. For team India, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan and Rishabh Pant scored half-centuries. During this inning though, Pant suffered a toe-fracture on day one. For England, captain Ben Stokes picked 5 wickets while Jofra Archer took 3 wickets.

England in response scored 669 runs. Both the opening batter scored half-century and missed out on the century as Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett scored 84 and 94 runs respectively. Ollie Pope also scored a half-century but the real deal was Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Both the veteran England players scored a century each as they scored 150 and 141 runs respectively. For India, Ravindra Jadeja took 4 wickets while Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar picked 2 wickets each.

England had a lead of 341 runs and a win for Team India was impossible but England could have still won by an innings or either chased down a low total.

However, the Indian batters displayed their grittiness. Despite losing two wickets in the first over and when it all seemed like heading towards an England win, KL Rahul and India captain Shubman Gill added 188 runs partnership for the 3rd wicket off 421 balls. While Rahul scored 90 runs off 230 balls, Gill scored 103 runs off 238 balls.

After them two, it was then the turn from the duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. The duo displayed a great fighting spirit as they also went on to score their respective centuries. Jadeja scored 107 runs off 185 balls while Washington Sundar, who was doubted by the fans, scored 101 runs off 206 balls as India drew the match.

The series is still 2-1 in favour of the hosts England who just need a draw or a win to seal the series victory. Meanwhile, nothing will work for Team India other than a win to make it 2-2. This makes the England vs India 5th Test a must watch. The match will be played from July 31 till August 4 starting from 3:30 P.M IST.

ENG vs IND Recent Form

In terms of both teams’ recent form, the England team is in much better form compared to the Indian team. The England team has won 3 matches in their last 5 matches including 2 wins vs India and a win vs Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, they have suffered one defeat and draw in this series vs India itself.

As for the Indian team, they have won only one match in their last 5 matches, that was obviously the win at the Edgbaston Ground in Birmingham in the 2nd Test. Other than that, they have lost two matches vs England and one more defeat including their series defeat in Australia.

ENG vs IND Team Preview

This is a crucial match between the England cricket team and India. While England need to ensure they don't lose to win the series, nothing works for team India other than a win to ensure a 2-2 draw of the series. Hence we can expect some changes from both sides.

England

For hosts England, Shoaib Bashir is still not fit so Liam Dawson keeps his place. But, given their bowlers' workrate in the series so far, the question is how fit they will be for the 5th Test. There are chances that England will introduce Gus Atkinson for this match instead of Chris Woakes, other than that, they won't be making more changes.

India

 As for the Indian team, Anshul Kamboj’s debut didn't work out for him and fans on social media criticised him for his speed. He is likely to be dropped for either Arshdeep Singh or Akash Deep, who were both injured for the previous match. And with Rishabh Pant ruled out due to injury, he has been replaced by Narayan Jagadeesan but given the importance of the match, Team India is unlikely to field a debutant, hence Dhruv Jurel is likely to play for Team India in place of Pant.

There are questions over whether Jasprit Bumrah will play as he was supposed to play only three matches which he has now. But given the importance of the match in the context of the series, Team India might consider playing him for this match as Team India will be able to afford him a month long rest before the Asia Cup. Other than that, although fans wanted Kuldeep Yadav, but looking at the pitch and how Sundar played in the last match, he is likely to keep his place. Expect no more changes.

ENG vs IND Head-to-Head in Tests

The Indian cricket team and England have played a total of 140 Test matches between them and it is the England team who is ahead in this rivalry. In those 140 matches, England have won 53 matches including the two wins in this series. Meanwhile, team India have won 36 matches and with the draw in Manchester, there have now been 51 matches that have ended without a result between the two teams.

Kennington Oval, London Pitch Report

Kennington Oval, often called The Oval, is famous for having a well-balanced pitch that’s great for both batters and bowlers. The surface gives early assistance to the pace bowlers who can be very effective with the new ball. However, as the game progresses, the batter starts to get into the game. It is important for the batters to spend some time on the pitch. Spinners could also have some role to play later in the game, especially if the pitch weather. However, the recent pictures show a green top for the match which means pace bowlers will have the real say in the game.

ENG vs IND Predicted Playing11

England: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson.

Injury News: Shoaib Bashir is yet to recover from his injury thus unlikely to feature in this match. Liam Dawson is expected to continue.

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep/ Arshdeep Singh.

Injury News: Jasprit Bumrah is likely to continue as Team India desperately needs a win to draw the series. Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh are reportedly back from their respective injury and should replace Anshul Kamboj.

ENG vs IND Top Performers 

England Top Batter: Joe Root

England cricket team batsman Joe Root has been in brilliant form in the ongoing England vs India Test series. The veteran English batter has scored 403 runs in 7 innings at an average of 67.17. He has scored centuries including 150 runs in the last match. He has been consistently very good throughout the series.

England Top Bowler: Ben Stokes

England captain Ben Stokes has been delivering a total all-rounders performance in this series. Not only with the bat, Stokes has also been brilliant with the ball. He has been very tight with his line and length and has taken 17 wickets in this series. Expect him to continue to do well as he seems to find the sweet spot to bowl at.

India Top Batter: KL Rahul

KL Rahul has been one of the Indian cricket team's best batters in the ongoing England vs India Test series. Rahul has been consistently doing well for the Indian team in this series. He has scored two centuries and missed out on the third ton in the 4th Test by just 10 runs. He has scored 511 runs in 8 innings at an average of 63.88.

India Top Bowler: Jasprit Bumrah

As for the Indian bowling, Jasprit Bumrah is definitely the player to watch out for. Bumrah has been spectacular for the Indian team and despite missing the 2nd Test, he is still the Indian team's top wicket-taker with 14 wickets in this series. Although there is question over Bumrah's availability for the 5th Test due to his workload management, if he plays, he is going to have to pull the strings for Team India.

ENG vs IND Key Player Battles

Shubman Gill vs Jofra Archer

KL Rahul vs Chris Woakes

Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Jofra Archer

Joe Root vs Jasprit Bumrah

Ben Duckett vs Akash Deep 

ENG vs IND Today Match Prediction

The England vs India Test series has been a total showdown. All the previous four matches have been thrillers which were only decided on the last day of the play. And expect nothing different in the fifth Test at the Kennington Oval.

England is leading the series 2-1 and they need at least a draw. As for Team India, they lacked the sharpness in the last match, which was completely visible during England’s 1st inning where the English batters freely scored runs.

This should be an exciting match between the two teams. But, given how Team India have had to chop and change their playing XI while England have stuck with the same playing XI almost except for one change. They have a great mix of batting and bowling talent whereas Team India need to improve their sharpness they lacked in the last match. 

While it is likely to be another closely fought match-up, England is definitely starting this match as the pre-match favourite. However, given team India desperately needs a win, they shouldn't be discounted easily and would definitely put-up a tough fight.