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England vs India Playing XI, 5th Test: India make 4 changes; Prasidh, Jurel, Karun, Akash playing

ENG vs IND 5th Test Playing 11: The Oval pitch has 8 mm grass and India is batting first. India make four changes in their XI - Prasidh, Dhruv Jurel and Karun Nair replace Bumrah, Pant & Shardul

Anish Kumar New Delhi

Mohammed Siraj to lead India pace attack in Jasprit Bumrah's absence. Photo: PTI

In a high-stakes fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, England won the toss and elected to field first under gloomy skies at The Oval, setting the stage for an electrifying climax to the five-match Test series. Stand-in skipper Ollie Pope made the call, banking on early assistance from the live grass and moisture-laden surface.

"Bit overcast, no-brainer to have a bowl," Pope said at the toss. "We’ve got a few fresh faces, and we bat deep. We're not just aiming for a draw; we want to win this."

With Ben Stokes ruled out due to a shoulder injury, Pope will captain a rejuvenated English side determined to clinch the series in front of home fans.

Gill unfazed by toss Loss, eyes series-levelling win

India’s Shubman Gill, captaining his fifth Test, appeared composed despite extending his personal toss-losing streak to five. The young skipper stressed intent and belief in the team’s ability to stage a comeback.

“Don’t mind losing the toss as long as we win the game,” Gill said with a smile. “We’ve come close, and now it's about giving that 5–10% more. Boys are raring to go.”

India have made four critical changes for this must-win clash: Karun Nair and Akash Deep come in for Shardul Thakur and Anshul Kamboj, Dhruv Jurel replaces the injured Rishabh Pant, and Prasidh Krishna fills in for Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested for workload management.

India's Playing XI: new faces, renewed hopes

India have opted for a balanced combination that strengthens their batting while still offering bowling variety. Karun Nair, playing his first Test of the series, returns to solidify the middle order. Jurel officially dons the gloves in Pant’s absence, while Prasidh Krishna joins Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj to lead the pace attack alongside spin duo Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.

India Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj.

England bank on seam power, fresh blood in final push

England, too, are fielding a restructured side in the absence of Stokes. Jacob Bethell makes his Test debut, while pacers Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue round off a fiery seam battery. Jamie Smith will keep wickets as the Three Lions aim to end the series 3–1.

England Playing 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.

Rain Watch and Pitch Talk

While the pitch has a healthy layer of live grass, ideal for seamers early on, it's expected to flatten out as the match progresses—if the rain stays away. With scattered showers forecast on Thursday and during the weekend, weather could play a decisive role.

Squads:

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (capt), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Karun Nair, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, N Jagadeesan, Arshdeep Singh, Akash Deep.

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (capt), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue, Liam Dawson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer.

3:32 PM

5th Test | ENG vs IND Live score updates

Tap on the image for latest score, live match updates

3:10 PM

5th Test | ENG vs IND Playing 11 LIVE UPDATES: India's Playing 11

India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel(w), Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

3:07 PM

5th Test | ENG vs IND Playing 11 LIVE UPDATES: India's XI

~~Three~~ not four changes in India's Playing 11. Gill got it wrong at the toss

Karun Nair comes in for Shardul Thakur. Prasidh Krishna replaces Jasprit Bumrah. Dhruv playing for Pant. Akash in for Kamboj

No place for Arshdeep Singh, Akash Deep and Kuldeep Yadav.

3:05 PM

5th Test | ENG vs IND Playing 11 LIVE UPDATES: England's XI

England's Playing 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

3:05 PM

5th Test | ENG vs IND Playing 11 LIVE UPDATES: Shubman Gill lose the toss again

England stand-in captain Ollie Pope wins the toss and asks India to bat first.

3:04 PM

5th Test | ENG vs IND Playing 11 LIVE UPDATES: Toss coming up

So there was slight delay in the toss. Both the captains are ready and marching towards the 22 yards.

3:01 PM

5th Test | ENG vs IND Playing 11 LIVE UPDATES: Toss delayed

It has been drizzling at the Oval in London, thus delaying the toss.

2:58 PM

5th Test | ENG vs IND Playing 11 LIVE UPDATES: What to do after winning the toss?

Former England pacer Stuart Broad reveals the pitch conditions: "Eight millimetres of live grass, the clouds are in, lights will be on... definite win toss and bowl."

2:55 PM

5th Test | ENG vs IND Playing 11 LIVE UPDATES: Covers are coming on

As just 10 minutes were left for the toss, the raingods arrive as predicted in the weather forecast.

Will the toss be delayed?

Lets hope for the best

2:43 PM

5th Test | ENG vs IND Playing 11 LIVE UPDATES: Overcast conditions at the Oval

Clouds are hovering over Oval at the moment. However, there is no sign of covers as practice nets are also seen at the ground.

We are just 15 mins away from toss.

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