Sport
As India and England prepare for a thrilling conclusion to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval, all eyes are not just on the playing XIs but on the skies above London. The fifth and final Test of this gripping series begins on Thursday, July 31, with England leading 2-1 and India determined to square things up. But with rain and overcast conditions forecast throughout the Test match, the weather could play a decisive role in shaping the outcome of what promises to be a classic finale.
Sport Also Read: Explained: Why India Can’t Withdraw From Asia Cup 2025 Fixture Against Pakistan – BCCI’s Hands Tied
Sport Rain Clouds Hover Over The Oval: Full Weather Forecast
The latest London weather forecast suggests a strong possibility of rain interrupting play, particularly during the first two days of the match. According to Accuweather and Weather.com, scattered afternoon showers are expected on Thursday, with cloudy conditions prevailing on Friday and additional showers likely on Saturday and Sunday. With humidity levels hovering around 88% and temperatures ranging between 14°C and 24°C, conditions are ripe for swing bowling — but also for frustrating rain delays.
Wind speeds could touch up to 13 km/h, which might offer some lateral movement early on. However, the bigger question remains: Will we get a full five days of cricket?
Sport How The Weather Could Impact The Match
The toss becomes a crucial factor in Tests under such fickle skies. Overhead conditions typically favour bowlers early in the game, and captains winning the toss may be tempted to bowl first to exploit the moisture-laden air and overcast skies. But the looming threat of rain might also encourage defensive decisions, aimed at avoiding batting last on a potentially tricky surface.
With a draw enough for England to win the series, and India needing a win to level it, weather interruptions could severely dent India’s hopes of a series-saving victory.
Sport Oval Pitch Report: Runs on Offer, but Only if Rain Stays Away
The pitch at The Oval is traditionally one of England’s best batting surfaces. The average first-innings score here stands at 343, and recent County Championship games have produced scores well in excess of 700 per side. However, the unpredictable London weather could change the character of the pitch.
Day 1 is expected to assist seamers, especially under cloudy skies, while Days 2 and 3 are historically the best for batting. If the match goes deep into Days 4 and 5, we might see some turn for spinners, particularly with the surface starting to break up. But that’s assuming the rain gods allow enough overs to be bowled.
Sport Team Selection and Tactics: Weather Plays Its Part
India’s confidence is high after a gritty draw in Manchester, where the likes of KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar stood tall with the bat. However, the Indian bowling attack lacked penetration, especially in helpful conditions, and with rain around, they’ll need bowlers who can maximize swing and seam movement during shortened sessions.
The possible return of Dhruv Jurel as wicketkeeper is on the cards, while Anshul Kamboj’s place may be under scrutiny after a lacklustre debut. England, meanwhile, will be without Ben Stokes, with Ollie Pope stepping up as captain. The hosts have brought in fresh legs like Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Jamie Overton, and Jacob Bethell, hinting at a pace-heavy attack aimed at capitalizing on the damp conditions.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world News on Zee News.