England Win Toss, Invite India to Bat in Fifth Test at The Oval

In the fifth and final Test match between England and India at The Oval, England's stand-in captain Ollie Pope won the toss and elected to bowl first under overcast conditions, aiming to leverage the bowling-friendly pitch. India, trailing 1-2 in the series, made four changes to their lineup, bringing in Dhruv Jurel, Karun Nair, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna to replace injured players including Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah. Both teams are highly motivated, with England seeking to clinch the series 3-1 and India striving to level the score, highlighted by the Indian team's determination despite the absence of key veterans Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir delivered a motivational message emphasizing the opportunity to achieve something special for the country amid the transition period. The series has been fiercely competitive, featuring memorable moments such as India's dramatic win at Birmingham and a spirited draw in Manchester, reflecting the resilience and hunger of both sides. The match is poised to be a decisive and intense conclusion to a closely contested Test series.