Is the Oval Test a disaster waiting to happen for Team India?

#7 Team India’s chances at the Oval in 2018

Kohli should defy history at the Oval

The Indian players of the current series are aware that history is against them at the Oval. But they can take heart from the fact that the Oval was the one venue in England where India managed more number of draws than any other venues in England. The nature of the pitch and the fickle English weather contributed a lot in that respect. But the Indians need more than a draw to restore pride.

In order to achieve an improbable win at the Oval, the Indians should get the following right:

1. Win the toss, bat first and put runs on the board.

The Indians should aim to bat first should they win the toss. As the Indian batsmen are totally incapable of chasing even the smallest of targets in the fourth innings, they should put runs on the board for the bowlers to play with. As the wicket at the Oval is expected to favour the spinners, it is better to bat first.

2. The Batsmen should come to the party

The Indian batsmen, especially the openers should give a decent start to the innings. The over-reliance on Kohli is not a good sign and the other batsmen should also take on the responsibility. They should apply themselves and should try to spend some time at the wicket before going for their shots. One of the top order batsmen should bat through the innings.

3. Select the best possible playing XI.

The Indians should get their playing XI correct after the debacle in the fourth Test. The following changes ought to be made:

1. Prithvi Shah in place of K.L. Rahul
2. Ravindra Jadeja for R, Ashwin
3. Hanuma Vihari for Hardik Pandya

4. Get the England tail out quickly

The Indian bowlers allowed England tail to wag throughout the series. The main reason for that was the presence of Sam Curran in the lower-order. The Indian bowlers failed to dismiss Sam Curran cheaply in the series. At the Oval, Kohli should attack Curran from the beginning in an effort to secure his wicket at the earliest possible time. Allowing the England tail to wag one more time at the Oval could hurt India dearly.

5. Field better especially in the slips

The Indian slip catching has been a disappointment except for Rahul and Kohli. The presence of Rishabh Pant behind the wickets further complicated the problems. He gave away a total of 30 byes in the last Test match. Pant and the slip fielders should improve their performance at the Oval.

6. Other Negatives

The Indians should eliminate the other negatives like Bumrah's no-ball problems, Ishant Sharma's follow-through issues and soft dismissals against Moeen Ali.

To conclude, past history is only an indicator and not a conviction of what will happen in the future. Let us hope Team India defy past history and fashion a different story this time around by winning the last Test at the Oval. It would be a fitting finish to an absorbing series.