ENG vs IND: India HAVE to Win at The Oval to Avoid a MAJOR Embarrassment After 11 Years!

India’s ‘Great Escape’ in Manchester on July 27 thanks to dogged resistance from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar prevented England from clinching the series with a game in hand. However, the hosts still lead 2-1 going into the final Test at The Oval which begins on July 31. For England, a draw is enough to win the series. For India, a win is a must to draw the series and retain the rubber courtesy the 4-1 home series win in 2024.

Must-Win Game

Shubman Gill’s side needs to beat the English at The Oval at all costs. Even a draw will not be enough. India cannot win the series but they can avoid a series loss. If they do not, they will face major embarrassment because something that has not happened for 11 years will take place.

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Dubious Distinction

Should India end up drawing or losing the Test at The Oval, they will lose the series, either by a 2-1 or 3-1 margin depending on the result. If that happens then this will be India’s third straight Test series loss. India lost 3-0 to New Zealand and then 3-1 to Australia. Now they are currently trailing 2-1 vs England with a game in hand. Unless it’s a 2-2 draw, India will lose a third consecutive Test series.

This has not happened since 2014. In late 2013, India lost 1-0 to South Africa. Then in early 2014, they lost 1-0 to New Zealand. After that, they went to England and were defeated 3-1. In fact, that time they would go on to lose four straight Test series as they toured Australia after England and lost 2-0 in 2014-15.

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Series’ Fate

So India’s ultimate objective is to make it 2-2. The scoreline could have so easily been in India’s favour when they had just 193 to chase at Lord’s but faltered for 170. The series began with England making a mockery of a 371-run target to win by five wickets at Headingley. India fought back with a 336-run win at Edgbaston. After the Lord’s horror show, honours were shared at Old Trafford. Now the series will be concluded at The Oval.

The Oval Report Card

India have won only twice at this venue. Their first-ever Test win and Test series victory came at The Oval in 1971 and the only other win was in 2021. Will they secure a third win and avoid a hat-trick of Test series losses? Or shall England take back the rubber? We shall know soon enough!