ENG vs IND 5th Test Match Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Pitch Report, and Playing XI of India Tour of England 2025

With the series standing 2-1 in England's favor, the 5th and final Test between England and India at The Oval is set to be a thrilling series decider. Team India, having displayed a spirited comeback in the 2nd Test under Shubman Gill's leadership, then secured a hard-fought draw in the 4th, keeping their hopes alive. They now find themselves needing to fight hard to win this final match and draw the series level. While they have shown flashes of improved consistency with both bat and ball, including moments where their bowlers found rhythm and the middle-order clicked, they'll need that to translate into a complete, match-winning performance.

England, after looking off-color in the second Test, regrouped effectively to clinch a tight victory in the third and then held on for a draw in the fourth. To secure the trophy outright, they'll require consistent application from their top order and disciplined control from their bowlers on what can be a challenging English pitch. Currently holding the series lead and momentum, England enters The Oval with an edge. However, given the competitive nature of this series, expect another close contest as India fights tooth and nail to salvage a memorable draw.

Injury Update: 

No Injury concerns.

England vs India 5th Test Match Date, Time and Venue:

Match: ENG vs IND 5th Test Match Anderson Tendulkar Trophy 2025

Date: 31 Jul - 4 Aug 2025

Time: 3:30 PM

Venue: Kennington Oval

Location: London

England vs India 5th Test Match Pitch Report:

As England and India prepare to face off in the 5th and final Test at the historic Kennington Oval Cricket Ground in London, all eyes will be on how the pitch behaves across five days of crucial battle. Known for its unique character and typically offering a good contest, The Oval promises a true test of skill and temperament, especially with the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on the line.

Pitch Characteristics

Day 1–2: The pitch at The Oval typically offers a relatively flat surface on the opening days, which can initially be good for batting. However, the new Dukes ball, combined with the often-overcast English conditions, provides noticeable seam movement and swing for the fast bowlers. Captains winning the toss often face a tactical dilemma: bat first to make use of the fresh pitch, or bowl first to exploit any early moisture or overhead conditions. Bowlers who maintain disciplined lines and lengths, hitting the deck hard, usually find early rewards.

Day 3: As the match progresses into Day 3, the Oval pitch tends to settle down further, and batting conditions generally become more comfortable. The surface flattens out, offering consistent bounce and rewarding batsmen who apply themselves at the crease. This phase is often considered the best time to accumulate runs, as the initial assistance for seamers might lessen, and the ball comes onto the bat more freely.

Day 4–5: Towards the latter stages of the Test, The Oval pitch is well-known for showing significant signs of wear and tear. Cracks can develop, and the surface tends to dry out and roughen up, bringing spinners heavily into the game. While not traditionally a turning track from Day 1, the footmarks and increasing deterioration offer substantial grip and turn for both finger-spinners and wrist-spinners. This makes the fourth innings chase particularly challenging, with uneven bounce also potentially coming into play, offering opportunities for both pace and spin to secure vital breakthroughs.

T20I Stats	Value
Total Matches	148
Batting First Won	53
Bowling First Won	44
1st Innings Average Score	309
2nd Innings Average Score	298
3rd Innings Average Score	256
4th Innings Average Score	159
Highest Total	729/6 (232 Ov) by AUS vs ENG
Lowest Total	38/10 (15.4 Ov) by IRE vs ENG

Possible Playing 11 for England: