Cricket

England v India Fifth Test Predictions & Betting Tips (2025)

1 month ago

| BY Sam Cox

The Oval is the venue for the fifth and final Test of this fiercely competitive series between England and India.

Bad feeling between the teams erupted in the Third Test and resurfaced at Old Trafford with handshake gate. As the teams prepared for the Fifth Test, India head coach Gautam Gambhir managed to get into an embarrassing argument with Surrey’s head groundsman, Lee Fortis.

England vs India Fifth Test Odds:

England – 6/5
Draw – 19/10
India – 13/5

Bet on England v India at William Hill

Gambhir, who has led India to series losses against Australia and New Zealand, knows he probably needs to win this Test to keep his job. India are 2-1 down in the series – despite having the series’ top four run scorers – after a phenomenal rearguard action in Manchester.

Selection Challenges

The cricket betting markets have opened with England as favourites to take the series 3-1. The hosts were physically and mentally exhausted after the Old Trafford Test, though, and will likely have to make considerable changes to their bowling attack with Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, and Jamie Overton in contention to replace Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, and Brydon Carse.

India have their own dilemma. Jasprit Bumrah didn’t have to bowl for the final five sessions of the Fourth Test, but the plan was for the world’s best bowler to only play three of the five Tests, which he already has.

Arshdeep Singh should make his Test debut in place of Anshul Kamboj, who didn’t look like a Test-quality bowler during his debut in the Fourth Test. In a must-win match, there will be further calls for Kuldeep Yadav, but that doesn’t seem likely.

The absence of Rishabh Pant is also a blow for the tourists. His batting has consistently caused problems for England.

Seam-Bowling Paradise?

The Oval is a far cry from the batter-friendly surface it was earlier in the century. Surrey piled on the runs in the Kookaburra round, but the strongest team in county cricket have had no problem bowling teams out this year with only two visiting teams scoring more than 300 in an innings.

England might be motivated to generate a very flat pitch again; in the knowledge a draw would see them win the series. Alternatively, Ben Stokes and co. will surely be wary about spending another 100+ overs in the field. It might be beneficial to have a result pitch.

The surface is going to have more in it than Old Trafford did. More lateral movement should work in England’s favour, even if it nullifies some of their more aggressive Bazball-ing batters.

India seem to have the upper hand after Manchester, particularly with England having to redo their bowling attack. The tourists have been more than a match for Stokes’ team so far in this series, but home advantage is a massive factor, and that’s why England are clear betting favourites at The Oval.

It’s poised to be another hard-fought contest. This series, like the Ashes two summers ago, is likely to go down to the final day.