With England holding a 2–1 lead going into the fifth and final Test, the series has already been clinched by the hosts. However, the final match at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata carries significant weight for both teams. For England, it’s a chance to seal a 3–1 win, reinforce their dominance at home, and fine-tune the squad ahead of future tours. For India, the 5th Test is all about salvaging pride, gaining some momentum, and avoiding a demoralizing end to what has otherwise been a hard-fought series.
Live Streaming Info
Cricket fans can catch the India vs England 5th Test live on Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar in India, Sky Sports in the UK, and Willow TV in North America.Match Timing: 9:30 AM IST | 4:00 AM GMT| 9:00 AM PST
Team Analysis
India started the series with promise but have gradually lost steam.Despite some early challenges in the first Test, they bounced back with aggressive batting, relentless bowling, and sharp fielding. The top order has been solid, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma providing consistent starts. Jaiswal, in particular, has been a revelation this series, combining flair with maturity beyond his years. In the middle order, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul have played crucial knocks under pressure, with Pant also impressing with his sharp wicketkeeping and energy behind the stumps.
India’s bowling unit has been their biggest weapon. Jasprit Bumrah has led the pace attack with deadly accuracy and reverse swing, consistently breaking partnerships at key moments. Mohammed Siraj has supported him well with his aggression and control. Among the spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have turned the screws in the middle sessions, exploiting the conditions with skill and patience. Ashwin, in particular, has troubled the English batters with variations in flight and bounce, while Jadeja’s all-round contribution has added immense value.
The English team has been clinical in their approach throughout the series.Their batting has been inconsistent, with only Joe Root showing glimpses of his class regularly. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley have provided attacking starts but often failed to convert them into big scores. Jonny Bairstow and Ollie Pope have looked vulnerable to spin, struggling to rotate strike or build partnerships in Indian conditions. Ben Stokes, playing as a specialist batter, has lacked his usual impact, while the absence of consistent contributions from the lower order has left England exposed. Their Bazball approach—focused on aggressive batting—has not yielded the desired results against India’s disciplined attack on turning tracks.
On the bowling front, Mark Wood has been England’s standout performer, using pace and bounce to unsettle Indian batters. Ben Stokes, while still economical, has struggled for wickets on unresponsive pitches. The spin duo of Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed has shown potential but lacked consistency. England’s inability to control the flow of runs during long sessions has cost them crucial advantages.
Match Insights and Conclusion
The 5th Test at Eden Gardens will be a test of character and adaptability for England. They will need to regroup, refine their game plan, and play with discipline if they want to avoid a 4–1 scoreline. For India, it’s an opportunity to end the series emphatically, possibly give bench players a chance, and continue building confidence as a dominant Test unit at home.
Key players to watch include Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin for India, and Joe Root and Mark Wood for England. With the Kolkata pitch expected to offer early assistance for seamers before aiding spin from Day 3 onwards, the opening exchanges and middle session control will be crucial. Even with the series decided, expect a spirited contest to conclude what has been a gripping Test series.
