- By Namrata Vijay
- Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:28 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs ENG 5th Test: The Indian team has gotten another chance to do something special in London. They are currently trailing the ongoing series by 2-1 after playing in four matches, and a brilliant batting performance during the fourth match in Manchester has helped them to stay alive in the series, even though they were reeling at 0-2 during the first over and were trailing by more than 300 runs.
And it would be all but over for the visitors if they can't enforce a result at the Oval, a venue where they have been quite successful recently but have also lost matches. They have had a complicated history here and haven't had their best time, but recently their performances have proved otherwise.
India's win-loss record at the Oval
The Men in Blue have locked horns with England in 14 Test matches at the Oval, of which seven matches have ended in a tie. But what is surprising is that the visitors had won just two matches, and that too within a gap of 50 years- they had won the first here in 1971 and then in 2021, where Shardul Thakur had smashed two half-centuries and helped the side avoid a 100-run deficit and helped the team lead the series by 2-1.
They had also played in one neutral game at this venue- the 2023 WTC final against Australia, where they were outplayed by Travis Head's match-winning hundred, and they had thus lost their sixth Test match at the Oval.
Who are India’s highest scorers at the Oval?
Rahul Dravid has been the most successful Indian batter at this venue as he has batted at a staggering average of 110.75 after playing in three matches, which also includes two centuries. He has had a brilliant record at the Oval, but as far as the current players are concerned, KL Rahul's match-winning hundred way back in 2018 helped him top this list by scoring 249 runs after playing in two matches.
Rishabh Pant too had a brilliant record at this venue as he had smashed one hundred and one fifty after playing in two matches, but won't be seen in action from Thursday and has been replaced by Dhruv Jurel.
Sunil Gavaskar has the record of being the highest run-scorer at this venue, as he had scored 221 runs way back in 1971.
Who has the most wickets for India at the Oval?
As far as the Indian bowlers are concerned, they don't have a formidable record here. Ravindra Jadeja is the highest Indian wicket-taker at the Oval, who is in sublime form in the ongoing series as a batter, but will have to stand up as a bowler. He has taken 15 wickets after playing in three matches, and that too at a low average of 30.5.
Umesh Yadav was India's best bowler the last time they had played at this venue, as he had taken a three-fer and helped the team win the match.
Bhagwath Chandrashekhakhar had registered the best bowling figures as an Indian bowler way back in 1971, as he rattled the hosts' batting lineup by taking six wickets and conceding just 38 runs.