ENG Vs IND 5th Test: England Look To Break 123-Year-Old Record; India Eye Vengeance

Mohammed Siraj and Ben Duckett [Source: AP Photos]

The fifth and final Test of the intriguing series between India and England at The Oval stands perfectly poised for a dramatic conclusion. While England need 324 more runs to win the game, India need eight wickets. Both teams have a very realistic chance of winning the match in what promises to be a series-defining Day 4 of the game. 

With England leading the series 2-1, the stakes couldn't be higher. Ollie Pope and his men will be keen to win the match and finish the series with a comprehensive 3-1 win margin. On the other hand, India have the chance to square the series 2-2 and salvage pride from what looked like a lost cause after the first three matches. 

Current Match Situation

The Chase Challenge

England have been tasked with a target of 374; they have a chance to repeat their heroics from the first game of the series at Leeds, where they chased down 371 runs. In the Bazball era, England have done remarkably while chasing - 

• 11 Tests won by chasing since May 2022
• Only 1 failed chase at home (vs Australia at Lord's 2023)

Probably the game hinges much on Ben Duckett, who is currently unbeaten on 34. His knock in the first Test will keep the Indians on their foot, and they will be looking to get rid of him as soon as possible.

Historical Context at The Oval

Successful Chases at The Oval (200+ Runs)

Key Statistics:

• Highest successful chase: 263 runs (1902)
• Since 2000: Only 1 successful chase over 200 runs
• Current target would be 111 runs higher than The Oval record

England's Bazball Credentials

England's Highest Successful Chases (Bazball Era)

Their aggressive approach under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum has redefined fourth-innings cricket, consistently showing they won't be overawed by scoreboard pressure.

Deciding Factors On Day 4

For India to Win:

• Early breakthroughs - Remove Duckett within first 10 overs
• Pressure building - Keep scoring rate under 3.5 per over
• Mohammed Siraj's form - Continue momentum from Crawley dismissal

For England to Win:

• Duckett's Contribution - Build substantial stand with Root/Brook
• Aggressive approach - Maintain Bazball philosophy under pressure
• Experience factor - Leverage Joe Root's chase expertise

The Verdict

The history of Oval tilts the situation strongly in favour of India, but England's recent mastery in chase make them genuinely unpredictable.

While India hold the edge given traditional numbers and the history of the venue, England's Bazball revolution has repeatedly defied conventional wisdom.

The stage is all set for a memorable curtain drop to what has been an enthralling series.

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