India are favourites to secure victory and draw the series, but England will still fancy their chances of completing what would be by far the highest successful Test run chase at The Oval.
Coming off a commanding 336-run win at Edgbaston, Team India not only ended their winless streak at the historic venue, but also levelled the five-match series 1-1 in stunning fashion thanks to Shubman Gill's twin hundreds and a rousing spell from pacer Akash Deep.
In a heartwarming gesture, Royal Challengers Bangalore star Virat Kohli and several RCB team-mates visited Mohammed Siraj's new home in Jubilee Hills, Film Nagar, Hyderabad.
'The grass has not received water and it has dried up.'
The delivery, which Siraj played down onto the pitch in front of the crease, spun back and rattled the base of his leg stump, sparking wild celebrations in England camp.
India faces Zimbabwe in a crucial T20 World Cup Super 8 match, needing a big win to improve their net run rate after a heavy loss to South Africa. The team needs to address issues in the top order and consider strategic changes to the batting lineup.
Mohammed Siraj has bowled an impressive 155-plus overs across nine England innings and not once did the thought of physical breakdown during a marathon series cross his mind.
Marco Jansen smashed the records held by legends Matthew Hayden and Vivian Richards for the most sixes hit by an overseas batter in a Test innings in India.
Siraj, Krishna, Akash Shine as India's Pace Future Takes Shape
Rohit Sharma failed for the second match in a row as he perished after scoring just eight against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
India face a tough spin challenge from England in the T20 World Cup semi-final at Wankhede Stadium, as both teams aim for a perfect game in the high-pressure knockout.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, arrived in Delhi on Tuesday and linked up with rest of the Indian team, many of whom were playing in the two-Test series against West Indies.
England head coach Brendon McCullum admitted India 'deserved' to win the fifth and final Test at The Oval as the visitors played better cricket in the closing stages.
Images from Day 1 of the first Test between India and South Africa, in Kolkata, on Friday.
India pacer Harshit Rana has revealed that the Indian management is aiming to groom him as an all-rounder.
Akash Deep's 10-wicket match-haul sets up famous win for India in the second Test against England at Edgbaston.
India and South Africa will face off in their opening Super Eight match of the T20 World Cup. The match will test India's batting line-up against South Africa's formidable bowling attack.
Virat Kohli, former Test captain, lauded the team's resilience
Kuldeep, spin strategy in focus as India prepare for Indore decider
Abhishek Sharma's recent struggles in the T20 World Cup have raised concerns, but experts believe his confidence remains intact and a strong comeback is imminent.
IMAGES from Day 4 of the 2nd Test between India and West Indies in New Delhi on Monday.
Images from Day 5 of the third Test between England and India at Lord's on Monday.
India and West Indies clash in a high-stakes virtual quarter-final on Sunday, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.
India face New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad as Suryakumar Yadav's side aim to become the first team to successfully defend the title.
The change in Mohammed Siraj's fortunes has played a critical role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's late surge in IPL 2024, and the pacer's good run might also have put the Indian thinktank at ease ahead of next month's T20 World Cup.
'What do you want us to do?': KL's heated exchange with umpire Dharamsena during Oval Test
'Siraj is a captain's dream. Gave it his all every ball and every spell he bowled.'
In this rivalry, numbers fade and national pride takes centre stage.
Mohammed Shami was once ignored for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa, despite having proved his fitness in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.
India crushed West Indies by an innings and 140 runs inside three days in the first Test to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, in Ahmedabad, on Saturday.
The Capitals sit pretty at the top with 10 points from six games, while the Titans trail close behind with eight from as many outings.
Mohammed Siraj's sensational six-wicket spell put India in control despite a superb fightback from South Africa with the ball on Day 1 of the second and final Test.
Ghaus was only 53 and lost his battle to a lung ailment.
'Sometimes it might look wrong in the fans' eyes, but please don't twist things or create narratives that aren't even close to the truth.'
Shami, 35, was left out of India's 15-member squad for the two home Tests against South Africa, scheduled to commence on Friday at the famed Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Before his most recent snub, Shami had openly expressed his disappointment about being sidelined from India's recent Test fixtures.
Ignored by the national selectors for T20 set-up, Yashasvi Jaiswal sent another stern reminder to the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee with a blistering 48-ball century as defending champions Mumbai crushed Haryana by four wickets in a high-scoring Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Super League B match, in Ambi, Pune, on Sunday.
For the first time in many years, India are going into a home Test match as underdogs and not favourites. Ask any player worth his salt and he would tell that it is not a happy place to be.
One bad match doesn't make me a bad bowler: Mohammed Siraj
India's hopes of drawing the series at The Oval may hinge on one question: will Jasprit Bumrah play?
