IND vs ENG / Defeat England for the 33rd time, simple plan for the 5th day of the Oval Test

IND vs ENG: England need 35 runs to win on the fifth day of the Oval Test, while India have to take their remaining 4 wickets. This situation reflects the exciting turn of the India-England Test series. The question is how will India win this Test and level the series 2-2? The answer is very simple, but strategic: England has to do what India has done 32 times before. That is, they have to win in the same style for the 33rd time. But what is this 33rd victory and how will it be achieved? To understand this, we have to look at the sessions of Test cricket and the strategies of the captains.

Importance of session and meaning of 33rd win

Winning a session in Test cricket can prove to be a game-changer for any team. A Test match has 5 days and 15 sessions. There are a total of 75 sessions in the ongoing 5-Test series between India and England. The fifth day's play of the Oval Test will start from the 13th session (73rd session of the series). In the 71 sessions played so far, India has won 32 sessions, while England won 21 sessions. 18 sessions were drawn. If India wins the 73rd session, it will not only be its 33rd session win, but it can be a decisive step towards leveling the Oval Test and the entire series.

Account of the last 71 sessions

If we analyze the 71 sessions played so far in the India-England Test series, then India has had the upper hand. India won 32 sessions, England 21, and 18 sessions were tied. The second Test played at Edgbaston lasted only 14 sessions, which made the equation of the series more interesting. This session-based superiority of India shows that it has consistently maintained the pressure. Now the 73rd session of the Oval Test is a golden opportunity for India.

First hour of the fifth day: Turning point of victory

The first hour of the fifth day of the Oval Test is very important. The use of a heavy roller can make the pitch conducive for batting, which is a challenge for the Indian bowlers. But this is the opportunity where India has to turn the adverse conditions in their favor. If the Indian bowlers dominate this session, then not only the session, but the entire Test and the series can also be in their name.

Strategy: Old formula, new style

India will have to adopt the same strategy to defeat England, which it adopted in the first 32 sessions. The fast bowlers will have to take advantage of swing and seam in the initial hour, while the spinners will have to use the bounce of the pitch. Also, agility in fielding and the captain's strategy will be important in winning this session. If India takes 4 wickets of England in this session, then the score of the series will be tied at 2-2.