The fifth and final test between England and India is on the horizon. The Oval will host the last game of the series that has already been a spectacle to remember.
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With competitive pricing and tailored markets, these sportsbooks will ensure you get maximum value from every wager placed on this highly anticipated fixture.
Series Recap and Momentum Shift
It has been a really great series so far with these two nations putting on a show of tactically brilliant cricket. England won the first game after chasing a huge 371 runs at Headingley to win by five wickets, but India responded straight away and capped off a 336-run victory that was inspired by Shubman Gill’s record-breaking 430 runs in the two innings. England then won the third Test at Lord’s which finished in dramatic fashion when Jofra Archer put on a show to give his side a one-match series lead.
Tactical Insight: Strategy Shifts for The Oval
England’s famous “Bazball” approach has been tweaked into a more balanced strategy so far. Even more so after they were put to the sword at Edgbaston. Ben Stokes has led by example and Joe Root has been his composed self as he shows his class with the bat.
India are being captained by the young Shubman Gill as they enter the post-Kohli era. They have a lot of depth in their squad and have star-studded players in both their bowling and batting attack.
England will look to strike early at the Oval with Archer’s pace and India will look to navigate a fast start with their technical excellence.
Bowling Benchmarks and Surface Strategy
The hosts’ bowling attack has been giving new life with the return of the world class Archer. His lightning quick pace at the top of the order will be vital at the Oval. Shoaib Bashir is another bowler who has been in excellent form this series and he will look to continue that as his spin is tricky to pick up for the Indian batsmen which was proved in the third test.
India boasts Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep – two devastatingly quick bowlers. Bumrah has dismissed Root 10 times in Tests and will look to pick up England’s prize wicket again in the final Test match. Deep has made a name for himself on English soil and will be tough to face again at the Oval.
Player Matchups: Battles to Watch
Joe Root vs Jasprit Bumrah: Root has scored over 3000 Test runs against India but has been dismissed 10 times by Bumrah who has somehow managed to claim his wicket time and time again.
Shubman Gill vs Jofra Archer: Gill put on a record break 430 runs at Edgbaston as he showed his class and Archer will look to claim the early wicket of the Indian captain.
Smart Betting Tips
There are lots of markets where you can find value in in this tie. The top batsman favours both Gill and Root after their consistent form in the series so far. Top bowler could either be Deep or Archer and another value pick is Root to score 50+ as the Englishman has an average of 60 at the Oval.
Expert Prediction
As the fifth and final test nears, the game is set to be a fiercely contested battle between two of the best Cricketing nations out there. India have been excellent on the road, while the hosts have showed that they are resilient on home soil. It is going to be a difficult game to call but expect India to just edge it at the Oval and claim a massive victory away from home against their foes England.