England vs India: Joe Root announces playing eleven for final Test at Kennington Oval

England are currently brimming with confidence having already won the five-match series 3-1 courtesy of their resounding 60-run victory over India at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton. They won the first two matches at Edgbaston and Lord’s respectively to storm into the ascendancy. However, India pinned them by a mammoth margin of 203-runs at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

Nevertheless, the home team recollected themselves and comprehensively thumped Virat Kohli and Co in their previous meeting. They will now be keen to win the last match and maintain their dominance over the visiting team. In the meantime, the England Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the playing eleven for the fifth and final Test at Kennington Oval in London, starting tomorrow.

Any major changes?

The team remains unchanged from the previous match. Joe Root remains to be the captain of the side. Jonny Bairstow, who didn’t keep wickets in the erstwhile contest, will take the wicketkeeping gloves from Jos Buttler. Alastair Cook, who will be making his last international appearance, and Keaton Jennings are the openers. Root is listed to come in at number three.

Moeen Ali, who rolled the Indians over single-handedly at The Ageas Bowl, retains his place. Sam Curran has been outstanding in the three matches he has played and he would be keen to end the series with another sound performance. James Anderson and Stuart Broad are expected to share the new cherry.

Adil Rashid is the lone tweaker in the team. All-rounder Chris Woakes was the Player of the Match at Lord’s- The Home of Cricket, but couldn’t quite make the same impact in the next match. Thereafter, he was dropped and he hasn’t been picked for the last encounter in London.

Here is the playing eleven

Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Joe Root (C), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

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