The battle lines are drawn, the voltage is electric and the bets could not be higher. 31. July India enters an oval with one mission: win or beat home. This is their last shot to redeem 2-1 in a series of five matches.
It has been 17 years since India last won the test series in England. Now they have to conquer one of the most difficult places in the country – where they won twice in 15 tests. But with the momentum of their Edgbaston struggle and the bold draw in Manchester, visitors with faith and fire in the abdomen will arrive.
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India may have to do it without Jasprit Bumrah, who is likely to rest because of worries about workload. This could open the door for the Arshdeep Singha test debut Or return for Akash Deep. England also hurts – Ben Stokes is outsideWith Ollie Pope leads the exhausted side of the missing archer, Dawson and Cars.
With Mohammed Sraja at the top of 200 international goals and Jaiswal and Gill in the form, India must go inside. It’s not just a match – it’s starting.
India focuses on history
The Indian task aimed at the fifth test in the oval is nothing but monumental. Historically, they returned from two tests down in the series only twice – against Western India in 1974–75 and Australia in 1977–78. On both occasions, they fought back to balance the 2-2 series just to lag in the referees.
Now, almost five decades later, they find themselves in a similar situation, watching England 2-1 and need victory to draw a series.
It is not just a form or conditions – it is about rewriting history. With an oval offer of demanding environment and the psychological weight of the past, India must resist trends.
Their struggles in Edgbaston and Manchester resistance showed character. But to avoid another heart break on the fifth test, they will need a brilliance – and faith. The victory here would not be influenced by the series; It is etching their return to the largest in the history of Indian testing.
How was India performing in the oval?
The Indian record in the oval oval leaves a lot desirable, with just two wins in a historical location. The victory came in 1971 under Ajit Wadekar and in 2021 under Virat Kohli, while six matches ended in defeat, including severe losses in 2011, 2014 and 2018. Six draws complete their sum, reflecting the history of mixed wealth in South London.
The final of the World Championship in 2023 against Australia led by Pat Cummins on this basis ended in a loss of 209-run and strengthened their fighting. When India is preparing for the 2025 referee, they will look like to buy a trend and buying a script.
Indian record in the oval
vs England – lost by 9 goals (August 15, 1936)
vs England – Drawn (August 17, 1946)
vs England – Drawn (August 14, 1952)
vs England – lost by shifts and 27 runs (August 20, 1959)
vs England – won 4 goals (August 19, 1971)
VS England – Drawn (August 30, 1979)
vs England – Drawn (July 8, 1982)
VS England – Drawn (August 23, 1990)
vs England – Drawn (September 5, 2002)
VS England – Drawn (August 9, 2007)
Vs England – lost by shifts and 8 runs (August 18, 2011)
Vs England – lost by shifts and 244 runs (August 15, 2014)
vs England – lost 118 runs (September 7, 2018)
Vs England – won 157 runs (September 2, 2021)
vs Australia – lost to 209 runs (June 7, 2023)
England fights on an oval
In recent years, the oval has opened its door to the visiting teams and India will know that it is a gold chance to take advantage of England at the venue at the venue. While England has a proud heritage in The Oval, since 2000 they have lost seven tests – including collapse against India in 2021 and recent Dru Driving in 2024.
The aura of invincibility has disappeared. India, floating with its own success on Earth and vulnerability in England, has a real shot to turn screws. He’s not just a referee – it’s a scene for India to throw himself.
English record in oval since January 2020
Vs West Indies – won 158 runs (August 31, 2000)
vs Australia – lost by shifts and 25 runs (August 23, 2001)
Vs India – Drawn (September 5, 2002)
Vs South Africa – won 9 goals (September 4, 2003)
Vs West Indies – won 10 goals (August 19, 2004)
Vs Australia – Drawn (September 8, 2005)
vs Pakistan – Won (August 17, 2006)
Vs India – Drawn (August 9, 2007)
Vs. South Africa – won 6 goals (August 7, 2008)
Vs Australia – won 197 runs (August 20, 2009)
vs Pakistan – lost by 4 goals (August 18, 2010)
Vs India – won shifts and 8 runs (August 18, 2011)
Vs. South Africa – lost by shifts and 12 runs (July 19, 2012)
Vs Australia – Drawn (August 21, 2013)
Vs India – won shifts and 244 runs (August 15, 2014)
Vs Australia – Lost by shifts and 46 Runs (August 20, 2015)
vs Pakistan – lost by 10 goals (August 11, 2016)
Vs. South Africa – Won 239 Runs (27th July 2017)
Vs India – won 118 runs (September 7, 2018)
Vs Australia – won 135 runs (September 12, 2019)
vs India – lost by 157 runs (September 2, 2021)
Vs South Africa – won 9 goals (September 8, 2022)
Vs Australia – won 49 runs (27th July 2023)
vs Sri Lanka – lost by 8 goals (September 6, 2024)
Who will have the last laughter?
As the fifth test in Kia oval is approaching, the series stands on the edge of the knife and the drama could not be more intense. England was caused by a huge blow with the exclusion of Stokes due to the shoulder injury. The absence of their talismanic leader leaves a gaping hole – not only in the order of tabs, but in the spirit and fight of the team.
Meanwhile, India smells blood. In a place where England has lost relatively few tests in the last two and a half years, visitors know that it is their moment when it will throw themselves. The bets are high, crackling tension – and when the curtain falls on the oval, one team could script the mixing turn, while the other is persecution of what could be.
– ends
Published on:
31 July 2025
Tune
