India is currently trailing 2-1 in the five-match series. The fourth Test ended in a draw at Old Trafford, and the final match at The Oval is their last chance to level the series. All eyes will now be on Thursday, July 31, when the two teams take the field for one last time in this thrilling series.
Ravindra Jadeja &
Washington Sundar would be charged up after smashing tons & saving India from a potential defeat
England would be roaring to end the series on a positive note after having a lead of 2-1 in the series. The side under the leadership of Ben Stokes & Brendon McCullum has been a force to reckon with, which exceeded world cricket’s expectations. Ben Stokes has been instrumental across all three departments of the game who has led with both bat & ball.
Ravindra Jadeja an Asset for India
Ravindra Jadeja not just was India’s hero in their gritty effort to save the Manchester Test against England but his all-round brilliance also saw him break multiple world records as the 36-year-old continued
Ravindra Jadeja his fine form in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. While Ravindra Jadeja’s run of four consecutive half-centuries in the series came to an end with a knock of 20 in the first innings, he ensured it was a rare occurrence with a century in the third innings as he put up a 203-run unbeaten partnership with Washington Sundar.
Earlier,Ravindra Jadeja also took a four-wicket haul as he found form with the ball despite England posting a huge total of 669 on the board. The star all-rounder dismissed Zak Crawley, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Brydon Carse. Ravindra Jadeja became the first player in history to achieve the rare double of a four-wicket home and score a century in the same match against England after his 36th birthday. The World No. 1 all-rounder broke a world record that stood for 131 years and belonged to Australia’s George Giffen.
The 84-Test Veteran Ravindra Jadeja is also the oldest player to achieve the all-round heroics in England in history, either by a home team or visiting player. The record previously also belonged to an Indian, as Jadeja went past Vinoo Mankad in the elite list, who had held the record since 1952. Interestingly, Ben Stokes went on third spot in the list during the same match.
Ravindra Jadeja has become the oldest player from across the globe to achieve the double of a century and a four-for in the same match away from home. This world record also belonged to an Indian in the form of Polly Umrigar, who held it for over six decades.
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is on the brink of joining an exclusive club in Test cricket history.
He is just 176 runs away from becoming only the fourth player ever to achieve the double of 4000 runs and 300 wickets in Test matches. So far, only Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Daniel Vettori have reached this remarkable milestone.
Notably, in 131 Test matches, former India captain Kapil made 5248 runs and clinched 434 wickets. Former England captain Ian Botham, on the other hand, made 5200 runs in the longest format of the game and picked up 383 wickets. Daniel Vettori, the last member of the elite list, has amassed 4531 runs and clinched 362 wickets in the longest format of the game.
The fourth Test in Manchester ended in a heated spat between England and India players after Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar refused Ben Stokes an early handshake. The duo wanted to complete their well-deserved century, but the England captain was infuriated as he didn’t want his bowlers to tire themselves. He was later condemned by several former cricketers.
Parthiv Patel names Ravindra Jadeja & Washington Sundar as the X factor
Former wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has chosen India’s X-factor player and shared his prediction for the outcome of the fifth Test, which is scheduled to start on Thursday, July 31, at The Oval. England currently leads the series 2-1. Patel has identified one of the two all-rounders as the key player for India.
Patel feels that either Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja could play a crucial role, particularly considering the spin-friendly conditions at The Oval. Both players were instrumental in the fourth Test, each scoring centuries that helped India secure a draw. Patel also singled out captain Shubman Gill as a key player to watch, and he anticipates that India will draw level in the series at 2-2.
“Shubman Gill is the player to watch, given his current form and the way he handled himself in the fourth Test. As for the X-factor, I believe either Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja could make the difference. The drift and bounce at The Oval favour the spinners, and if one of them performs well, India has a good chance of winning. My prediction for the match is that India will level the series 2-2,” he stated on Star Sports.
Ravindra Jadeja has been in outstanding form during the ongoing five-match Test series against England. With 454 runs to his name in four matches, he currently stands as the fourth-highest run-scorer of the series. His recent century at Old Trafford was a standout performance, helping India to pull off a draw. Now, he will be looking to carry that momentum into the fifth and final Test at The Oval. With India aiming to level the series 2-2, Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round brilliance could once again prove crucial.
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