Must-win at The Oval: India’s tactical puzzle deepens ahead of series finale

Dubai: India may have batted their way out of trouble at Old Trafford, but as they head to The Oval for the final Test, the real pressure begins: win, or lose the series. With cracks in the bowling unit and a key injury to Rishabh Pant, captain Shubman Gill faces a tactical test as steep as any he’s faced with the bat.

India’s spirited batting response in Manchester — after conceding a mammoth 669-run first-innings total — kept the series alive at 1-2. Centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar helped the visitors claw their way from a 311-run hole to post 425/4 in the second innings and force a draw.

But the fourth Test also exposed India’s deeper issues. With Pant sidelined due to injury, the team’s balance has wobbled. Pant’s exit opens the door for Dhruv Jurel to take the gloves in the final Test, but his inexperience at this level leaves a question mark.

India’s decision to field four all-rounders — Jadeja, Sundar, Shardul Thakur and debutant Anshul Kamboj — created more problems than it solved. While Jadeja and Sundar delivered with the bat, Thakur and Kamboj were ineffective with the ball. Between them, they bowled 29 overs for 144 runs and took just one wicket, leaving Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj to shoulder the burden through 63 exhausting overs.

Former vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane pointed out the imbalance bluntly.

“The batting unit has been fantastic. What concerns the Indian team is the bowling department. A couple of bowlers are bowling well, but they are not getting the support,” Rahane said on his YouTube channel.

India have managed 65 wickets across four Tests, compared to England’s 70. While the gap is just five, the impact has been decisive — particularly in defeats at Headingley and Lord’s, where India were outbowled.

Ravichandran Ashwin echoed the concern but went further, urging captain Gill to prioritise wicket-taking options over depth in batting.

“Test matches are not won by batting depth; they are drawn by it,” Ashwin said on his show Ash ki Baat. “Play a bowler who has the knack for taking wickets. You can still lose, but at least you gave yourself a chance to win.”

While praising Gill for his “leader’s knock” of 103 under pressure, Ashwin did not shy away from critiquing the young skipper’s tactical choices — particularly the delayed use of Sundar in England’s innings.

“Gill will learn from these moments. He batted brilliantly, and that innings showed real leadership,” Ashwin added.

Gill now has 722 runs in the series at an average of 90.25, including four centuries.

India are likely to consider changes at The Oval. With Shardul and Kamboj underwhelming, Karun Nair could return to bolster the middle order, while Kuldeep Yadav — or a fit-again Arshdeep Singh — could be added depending on pitch conditions.

Kuldeep’s wrist spin may be particularly useful on a dry Oval pitch, especially given England’s reluctance to produce green tops so far in the series. The team’s focus, as Ashwin and Rahane both suggest, must be on finding five genuine wicket-takers — and trusting the in-form batters to carry the rest.

In response to a physically draining fourth Test, England have added all-rounder Jamie Overton to their squad. The move adds fresh pace and lower-order batting as Ben Stokes’ team look to seal the series at home.

The final Test begins on Thursday at The Oval in London. India must win to level the series 2-2 — anything less, and England will claim the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.