Introduction
From mesmerizing tests to nail-biting finishes, the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 has had it all, and it comes down to the final tie—the 5th Test between England and India held at The Kennington Oval, England from July 31st to August 4th, 2025. England currently leads 2-1, but India's tenacity in Manchester, chiefly led by Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, has kept their hopes alive. This final encounter might well go down as one of the great recent test matches, as India tries to win the second time and force England into a 3-1 victory.
Match Details:
- Match: England vs. India – 5th Test
- Date: July 31st – August 4th, 2025
- Venue: The Kennington Oval, England
- Start Time: 10:00 AM (UTC)
- Toss Prediction: To Bat
- Win Probability: England 45%, Draw 29%, India 26%
England vs. India: Series Context
England initiated the series on a high note by winning at Headingley and Lord’s, but India fought back fiercely with a massive 336-run triumph at Edgbaston. The 4th Test in Manchester was England's for the taking, but India’s stubborn lower-order batting ensured that the match was drawn.
Now, with Ben Stokes’ men holding a 2-1 advantage, the pressure is on India to present something special. The Kennington Oval has historically favored England, with India winning only two 2 of 15 tests at this venue.
England Team Preview
England’s performance has been largely solid, though their inability to finish off the fourth 4th Test which was a draw leaves questions unanswered.
Key Batters:
Jamie Smith—England’s revelation of the series. Andre Russell has slayed 424 runs at an average of 85 in choked situations.
The anchor was Joe Root. It was with 403 runs at 67.16 that Root's form gave a sense of security to England.
In contrast, Harry Brook and Ben Duckett are aggressive strokemakers who maintain the flow of runs.
Key Bowlers:
- Ben Stokes—The captain has led from the front with 17 wickets and big breakthroughs.
- Jofra Archer – His pace and bounce have troubled Indian batters. Stuart Broad has warned England to manage Jofra Archer's workload wisely.
- Brydon Carse & Chris Woakes – Controlled, disciplined, and effective.
Possible change:
Jamie Overton may replace Chris Woakes for freshness in the bowling attack.
England Predicted XI:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C ), Jamie Smith (WK), Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes/Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer.
India Team Preview
India fought back heroically in Manchester. Skipper Shubman Gill led from the front, while the lower order showed remarkable resilience.
Key Batters:
- Shubman Gill (C )—The standout performer of the series. 722 runs at an average of 101.6; he is India’s best chance at The Oval.
- KL Rahul – Consistent at the top, scoring 511 runs at 64.
- Ravindra Jadeja & Washington Sundar – Their 100's in the 4th Test were game-changing.
Bowling Concerns & Strategy:
Jasprit Bumrah – Might be rested, which would be a big blow.
Mohammed Siraj – Will lead the attack; thrives under responsibility.
Kuldeep Yadav – Likely inclusion; wrist spin could be vital.
Arshdeep Singh & Akash Deep – Could replace Kamboj or Thakur for variety.
India Predicted XI:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C ), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav/Shardul Thakur, Akash Deep/Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh/Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.
Pitch & Weather Report – The Kennington Oval
The Oval pitch is balanced, with early swing for seamers, but tends to flatten by days 2 and 3. Spinners come into play later as cracks open up.
- 1st Innings Average Score: 345
- 4th Innings Average Score: 210
- Pace Bowling: Swing early
- Spin Bowling: Turns a little, helping from days 4 and 5
Weather Forecast:
Day 1 – 90% chance of rain
Day 4 – 63% chance of rain
Remaining Days – Cloudy with occasional sunshine
Given that rain interruptions are expected, team leaders will have to consider the weather when making the decision to bat or bowl first.
Toss & Match Strategy
- Toss Prediction: To Bat
- Reasoning: The Oval pitch rewards teams who post a 350+ score in the first innings. Chasing here is tough—4th -innings scores average just 210.
Key Player Battles
Shubman Gill vs. Jofra Archer: Archer’s bounce and pace will test Gill’s technique.
Joe Root vs. Mohammed Siraj: Root’s ability to handle the moving ball could define England’s batting stability.
Ravindra Jadeja vs. Ben Stokes: All-rounders who can change the game with bat and ball.
X-Factors & Expert Opinions
Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel believes either Ravindra Jadeja or Washington Sundar will be the X-factor at The Oval, citing the “drift and bounce” as key for spinners. He also highlighted Shubman Gill as the “player to watch out for.”
England legend Stuart Broad has cautioned about overusing Jofra Archer, urging England to balance his workload and give Gus Atkinson a chance.
Fantasy Cricket Tips
Captain Options: Shubman Gill, Ben Stokes
Vice-Captain Options: Joe Root, Ravindra Jadeja
Budget Picks: Jamie Smith, Washington Sundar
Bowlers to Watch: Mohammed Siraj, Jofra Archer
Winning Prediction
This series has swung like a pendulum. England’s consistency has given them a 2-1 lead, but India’s resilience in Manchester has set the stage for a classic.
Our Prediction: India to win the 5th Test and level the series 2-2.
Gill’s form, Rahul’s consistency, and the Jadeja-Sundar combo could inspire India to one more famous win at The Oval.
Current Winning Odds (Via Stake.com)
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The Decider Awaits
The 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has been a display of grit, skill, and drama. Everything is on the line at The Oval; this final test is certain to provide a worthy conclusion. Will England seal the series, or will India pull off an incredible comeback?
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