England vs India 5th Test 2025: Live Match Preview, Updates & Coverage

The highly-anticipated 5th Test between England and India—the series decider of the India Tour of England 2025—begins on Thursday, July 31, at The Oval, London. With England leading 2–1, the final Test is set to determine the winner of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in this season’s ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Match Details

• Fixture: England vs India – 5th Test (Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, World Test Championship)
   
• Dates: July 31 – August 4, 2025
   
• Venue: The Oval, London
   
• Time: Play starts at 11:00 AM local time daily
   
• Series Score: England lead 2–1 after a draw in the fourth Test
   

Squads & Team Updates

England:

• 15-member squad includes expected return of Jamie Overton—his first call-up since 2022.
   
• Other names: Gus Atkinson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Zak Crawley, Harry Brook, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, and Jamie Smith.
   

India:

• Rishabh Pant ruled out with a foot fracture. Narayan Jagadeesan is likely to debut as wicketkeeper.
   
• Captain Shubman Gill—scoring multiple centuries this series—is backing the side amid calls for bold bowling strategies, including adding Kuldeep Yadav.
   

Key Storylines & Player Highlights

Ben Stokes: Battle through injury

Despite suffering from bicep tendon soreness and general fatigue (England have bowled nearly 894 overs already), captain Ben Stokes has committed to play the decider on “very unlikely” absence terms.

Shubman Gill: India’s young leader

Gill has scored four centuries so far, including back-to-back tons at Leeds and Birmingham, driving India’s fightback potential. Expectations are high for him to anchor once more at The Oval.

Debutant & New Bowling Options

• Narayan Jagadeesan will likely make his Test debut behind the stumps in place of Pant.
   
• Jamie Overton and Gus Atkinson add fresh bowling options to England’s line-up if rotation is needed.
   

Tactical & Strategic Themes

England’s Attack Rotation

With a congested schedule—five Tests in 46 days—the addition of Overton signals England’s need for fresh legs. Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse may be rotated in as support bowlers if fatigue becomes a factor.

India’s Bowling Combos

The debate over adding Kuldeep Yadav to enhance spin options comes amidst broader suggestions for tactical aggression by legends like Sourav Ganguly and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Pitch & Match Conditions (The Oval)

• Conditions at The Oval are expected to favour batters early, with classic swing-friendly conditions for the new ball.
   
• Spin impact could rise mid-to-late innings as matches stretch beyond 1,000 overs across the series, leading to gradual wear.
   

Key Players to Watch

India:

• Shubman Gill – Captain and run-machine; four tons already in series.
   
• Washington Sundar & Ravindra Jadeja – Inspired comeback centuries at Old Trafford.
   
• Kuldeep Yadav – Potential surprise inclusion to blow away England’s middle order.
   

England:

• Ben Stokes – Leadership under pain; his resilience will define the side on the field.
   
• Ollie Pope – Reliable middle-order anchor and vice-captain with recent match-winning knocks.
   
• Jamie Overton & Gus Atkinson – New additions who could influence momentum with the ball.
   

How to Watch Live (Global TV & Streaming Guide)

Fans across South Asia can catch the 5th Test live on tapmad, with HD streaming, live commentary, and replays available on multiple devices.

• Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal: tapmad is the platform for viewing India vs England live, including the 5th Test.
   
• UK: TNT Sports & Discovery+ (expected).
   
• Australia: Fox Cricket & Kayo Sports
   
• USA/Canada: Willow TV
   
• South Africa: SuperSport
   
• MENA: e& / StarzPlay

Final Word

With England leading the series and India fighting hard under a young captain, the 5th Test at The Oval brings everything on the line. From shifting pitch dynamics to leadership under adversity, expect drama, resilience, and cricket at its competitive best.

Will England clinch a home series win? Or can India stage an upset in classic Ashes-like fashion? The Oval Test promises to deliver—don’t miss it live on tapmad.