The ECB has finalized England’s 15-man squad for the fifth and final Rothesay Test against India, which kicks off Thursday, July 31, at The Kia Oval in London. A major highlight is the return of Surrey all-rounder Jamie Overton, adding both pace depth and useful batting power to the team lineup.
England’s latest Squad Changes – 5th Test vs India
| Player | Status | Reason/Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Stokes | Ruled Out | Knee injury – won't recover in time for the decider. Leadership & all-rounder role missing. |
| Jofra Archer | Dropped | Workload management – omitted to preserve long-term fitness. |
| Chris Woakes | Returned | Back from injury – adds experience and depth to the pace attack. |
| Ollie Pope | Returned | Recovered from injury – strengthens the top/middle order. |
| Josh Tongue | Included | Rewarded for domestic form – adds pace variety for the Oval Test. |
England’s Playing XI For 5th Test vs India
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (C), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue
15 member Squad for the 5th Test
| Player Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Ben Stokes | Captain, Allrounder |
| Jofra Archer | Fast Bowler |
| Gus Atkinson | Fast Bowler |
| Jacob Bethell | Allrounder |
| Harry Brook | Batter |
| Brydon Carse | Fast Bowler |
| Zak Crawley | Opener |
| Liam Dawson | Allrounder |
| Ben Duckett | Batter |
| Jamie Overton | Allrounder – New addition |
| Ollie Pope | Batter |
| Joe Root | Batter |
| Jamie Smith | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Josh Tongue | Fast Bowler |
| Chris Woakes | Allrounder |
Key Notes
- Jamie Overton’s inclusion strengthens England’s pace attack and adds balance to the squad.
- England currently leads the Test series by 2-1 , setting up a thrilling decider at The Oval.
- With the likes of Joe Root, Jofra Archer, and Ben Stokes spearheading the attack, the squad now comprises a blend of youth and experience.
As England and India prepare for one last battle chase-not just for victory in this fiercely contested Rothesay Test finale but also for legacy-the Oval now hosts the series decider.
Written by RITESH SINGH
