India and England are set to lock horns for one final time in the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy from July 31. With the series currently 2-1 in favour of England, both sides have everything to play for at the Kennington Oval.
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Leading up to the game, the hosts, England, have suffered a major blow. English skipper Ben Stokes, who has been their best player in the series, has been ruled out of the fifth Test, set to take place at the Oval. Ollie Pope will take over the English side for the final game of the series.
What is Ollie Pope's record as England's Test captain?
Ollie Pope has now led England's red-ball side on five occasions. He captained the side against Sri Lanka last year in a three-match Test series at home.
Under his leadership, England won the series 2-1, having won two matches while facing a solitary loss at the Kennington Oval. He also led England to a Test victory against Pakistan in Multan last year.
Ollie Pope's results as English Test captain
| Year | Match | Result |
| 2024 | England vs Sri Lanka 1st Test, Manchester | England won by 5 wickets |
| 2024 | England vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test, Lord's | England won by 190 runs |
| 2024 | England vs Sri Lanka 3rd Test, Oval | Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets |
| 2024 | Pakistan vs England 1st Test, Multan | England won by an innings & 47 runs |
| 2025 | England vs India, 5th Test, Oval | TBD |
Pope, in his very short stints as English Test skipper, carries a very good record. However, it is interesting to note that his only loss as England's captain came at the Kennington Oval, the very same ground where England will take on India for the fifth Test.
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His record with the bat at the Oval has been impressive on an individual level. Pope has piled up 323 runs at the venue in six innings, at an average of more than 64, which includes one century and two half-centuries.
Meanwhile, England have made four changes to their playing XI. Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, and Brydon Carse make way for Josh Tongue, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, and Jacob Bethell.