After an embarrassing loss in the third test in Nottingham, England fought back in style to seal the Specsavers series 3-1 by winning the Southampton test by 60 runs. Virat Kohli will have to look for future series to win a test series against heavyweights of red ball cricket but it will still be a battle of pride when he steps on to the field in the 5th test at the iconic Oval.
Match importance
With England winning the series 3-1, the 5th test will be a dead rubber. Both the teams will look forward to try and test their new prospect.
Team News
India: With the series gone, it is likely that Virat Kohli will again make some changes in the team and give a chance to young Prithvi Shaw and an emerging domestic heavyweight Hanuma Vihari.
R. Ashwin was suffering from a groin injury and his place was doubtful for the 4th test. However, the team management retained him but in the course of the match he sustained another injury that may push him out of the fourth test. With his unavailability, Ravindra Jadeja is likely to be named in the playing 11.
England: Several questions were raised on the selection of Alastair Cook who is on the same sphere like Murali Vijay is to India. But the 33-year-old created headlines when he announced that he will retire after the 5th test. The Oval test will be his last appearance for the England and the packed house will surely be on their feet to see the “great man” for the last time step on-to the field.
England might make few changes in their line-up but it is likely that Joe Root will go hard at India with same intensity to hand over a 4-1 defeat to Virat Kohli and company.
Match Details
Venue: Kennington Oval, London
Timings: 03:30 PM IST, 11:00 AM (London)
Weather report
Day 1: Hide and seek of sun and cloudy skies with temperature ranging from 11’c to 18’c.
” 2: The rain is expected to play its part in the afternoon with temperature ranging from 13’c to 18’c.
” 3: Hide and seek of sun and cloudy skies with temperature ranging from 12’c to 21’c
‘ 4: A bright sunny day and high clouds expected with temperature ranging from 14’c to 22’c
” 5: Low cloudy skies with the temperature ranging from 15’c to 23’c.
The rain may come down but it may not spoil the party in the course of 5 days.
Pitch report
The Oval pitch may produce an even contest between bat and the bowl. With clouds expected to play their part, the team winning the toss will straight away choose to bowl first.
Traditionally, Oval is a batsman paradise which offers quick out-field. The team which will bowl well will have the best chances of winning the match
Test Rankings
India– Number 1 in test rankings
England- Number 5 in test rankings
Key Players
India: Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah
England: Joe Root, James Anderson
