London, 31st July 2025 — The curtains are about to come down on what has been a fiercely contested Test series between INDIA vs ENGLAND 5th Test 2025: Final Showdown at The Oval . As both teams gear up for the fifth and final Test at the historic Kennington Oval in London, all eyes are on India to see if they can level the series and walk away with pride, or if England will assert home dominance by clinching the series 3-1.
The match begins on Thursday, July 31, at 3:30 PM IST, and marks the culmination of weeks of competitive red-ball cricket that has thrilled fans on both sides.
INDIA vs ENGLAND 5th Test 2025 Series Context: England Lead 2-1
After four intense matches, England lead the series 2-1, having edged past India in a couple of close encounters. INDIA vs ENGLAND 5th Test 2025: 4th Test in Manchester ended in frustration for both camps. While England were in control for major phases of the match, they failed to press home the advantage, allowing India to escape with a draw.
India, meanwhile, will be kicking themselves for not capitalizing on key moments, particularly with their bowling attack failing to maintain pressure throughout long innings. The Oval now offers the last opportunity for India to save the series and carry positive momentum into future tours.
Team India’s Dilemma: Bowling Reshuffle Expected
India’s biggest concern going into the fifth Test is their bowling unit. In Manchester, debutant Anshul Kamboj failed to impress, lacking pace and control on a seam-friendly surface. With the stakes high, India is expected to make changes in this department.
Likely Bowling Changes:
- Akash Deep, who has shown promise in domestic cricket and warm-up games, is likely to return.
- Kuldeep Yadav may play a bigger role, especially if the pitch assists spin later in the game.
- Arshdeep Singh, who has impressed in limited overs, is also tipped to start, offering left-arm variety.
On the batting front, India seems relatively settled. The young trio of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and Shubman Gill (captain) have shown character, and Dhruv Jurel is expected to return as the wicketkeeper in place of the injured Rishabh Pant.
England’s Challenge: Rotation, Injuries, and New Faces
England have injury and workload headaches of their own. Their star all-rounder and captain, Ben Stokes, has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury. This is a major blow to both England’s balance and morale. Ollie Pope, the stylish middle-order batter, takes over captaincy duties.
With both Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse having played all four Tests, the English management has opted for a fresh pace attack, introducing a mix of youth and speed.
Confirmed England Changes:
- In: Jacob Bethell, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue
- Out: Ben Stokes, Brydon Carse, James Anderson (rested)
This reshuffle reflects England’s long-term vision while also prioritizing player workload. The inclusion of Jacob Bethell and Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper) highlights the team’s focus on grooming future stars.
INDIA vs ENGLAND 5th Test 2025 Match Details: Date, Venue & Timings
- Match: India vs England, 5th Test
- Date: Thursday, 31 July 2025
- Venue: Kennington Oval, London
- Time: 3:30 PM IST | 11:00 AM GMT
- Toss: 3:00 PM IST (30 mins before start)
- Toss Update
The Oval is known for its batting-friendly surface, especially in the first three days. However, it can assist spinners and reverse swing on Days 4 and 5. Captains will be tempted to bat first if conditions remain dry.
INDIA vs ENGLAND 5th Test 2025 Predicted Playing XIs
India Predicted XI:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Dhruv Jurel (wk) OR Karun Nayr
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Akash Deep
- Mohammed Siraj
- Arshdeep Singh
England Confirmed XI:
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope (c)
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Jacob Bethell
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Chris Woakes
- Gus Atkinson
- Jamie Overton
- Josh Tongue
INDIA vs ENGLAND 5th Test 2025 Key Battles to Watch
Shubman Gill vs Chris Woakes
With Gill leading the team, his personal form becomes vital. Woakes, England’s most consistent seamer in this series, will look to expose any weakness outside off-stump.
Joe Root vs Kuldeep Yadav
Root has handled spin well in the past, but Kuldeep’s wrist-spin and subtle variations could test him on a Day 3–4 pitch.
Jaiswal vs Overton & Tongue
Aggressive opener Yashasvi Jaiswal will face raw pace and bounce from Overton and Tongue. A solid start can set the tone for India.
INDIA vs ENGLAND 5th Test 2025 Player to Watch – IND
Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper-Batsman)
Coming back into the side after Pant’s injury, Jurel offers stability with the bat and agility behind the stumps. His ability to handle pace and pressure situations could prove vital in the lower middle order.
INDIA vs ENGLAND 5th Test 2025 Player to Watch – ENG
Jacob Bethell (All-rounder)
Making his debut in this crucial match, Bethell is an exciting left-handed batsman who can also bowl handy spin. He has impressed in county cricket and offers much-needed flexibility to the English side.
INDIA vs ENGLAND 5th Test 2025 Who Holds the Edge?
Despite trailing 2-1, India has shown grit in away conditions. Their batting has clicked in patches, and if the bowling unit finds rhythm, they can put England under pressure—especially with a relatively inexperienced English XI.
However, England hold the edge in terms of momentum and home conditions. Even without Stokes and Anderson, their new-look pace attack offers both speed and freshness. If the toss goes in England’s favor and they bat first, they could dominate the game early.
INDIA vs ENGLAND 5th Test 2025 Busines Times Fantasy Prediction:
Who Perform Better In 5th Test:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal Play 100+ run
- KL Rahul play well
- Shubman Gill play well
- Ravindra Jadeja play well
- Kuldeep Yadav play well
- Arshdeep Singh play well
- Ollie Pope play well
- Jacob Bethell play well
- Jamie Overton play well
INDIA vs ENGLAND 5th Test 2025 Busines Times Fantasy Team:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Shubman Gill (C/VC)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Kuldeep Yadav (C/VC)
- Arshdeep Singh
- Ollie Pope (C/VC)
- Jacob Bethell
- Jamie Overton
- Sai Sudharsan Key Player Riski (VC)
- Harry Brook Key Player Riski (VC)
INDIA vs ENGLAND 5th Test 2025 Final Thoughts
The 5th Test at The Oval is not just about numbers or series results. It’s a test of depth, leadership, and resilience. For India, it’s about finishing strong and proving they can adapt and evolve in foreign conditions. For England, it’s a showcase of their bench strength and leadership transition.
The absence of stars like Stokes and Pant opens the door for new heroes to emerge, and fans can expect a competitive, emotionally charged, and tactically rich five days of cricket.
So mark your calendars, build your fantasy teams, and get ready for one final dance between two giants of Test cricket.