IND vs ENG 2021: What happened the last time India played a Test at Oval?

Last week, Team India suffered a humiliating innings defeat in the third Test at Headingley after their batters were left exposed by some sharp, disciplined bowling by the hosts.

The Virat Kohli-led side will now be looking to make a strong comeback in the fourth Test, which commences on September 2 at The Oval. The series is currently level at 1-1.

The visitors have already arrived in London. They might consider making a couple of changes by benching players who have looked woefully out of form.

England have included all-rounder Chris Woakes in the squad, along with Sam Billings. Woakes may replace Sam Curran in the playing XI at The Oval.

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September 11, 2018: England beat India by 118 runs at The Oval

Hello and welcome to The Oval. Our venue for the 4th Test against England.It's been a damp morning so far.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/LmeFqxjGkw

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 31, 2021

India last played England at The Oval in the fifth Test of the 2018 tour. The hosts had an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series going into the game.

England skipper Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat first. Alastair Cook (71) and Moeen Ali (50) played well in the top order and gave England a decent platform.

India made some crucial inroads by removing both Root and Jonny Bairstow without scoring. Jos Buttler (89) then played a counter-attacking knock to take the home team to 332 in the first innings.

Highest Test score for Jadeja in SENA86* in The Oval, 201881 in SCG, 201968 in Lords, 201457 in MCG, 2020

— Merin Kumar ™ (@merin_kumar) December 28, 2020

Ravindra Jadeja (4/79), Ishant Sharma (3/62), and Jasprit Bumrah (3/83) shared the spoils. India scored 292 in their first innings and conceded a lead of 40 runs.

KL Rahul (37), Cheteshwar Pujara (37), Virat Kohli (49), and Hanuma Vihari (56) all got starts, but a substantial innings eluded them. Jadeja (86*) was India’s top scorer.

In their second innings, England piled on the pressure and declared with the score at 423/8. Cook’s splendid 147 in his farewell innings was a key highlight.

Joe Root (125) also scored a century to take his side to a commanding position in the Test.

#OnThisDay in 2018, England's leading Test run-scorer, Alastair Cook, bid goodbye to international cricket.He made 147 in his final outing as England completed their 4-1 Test series win over India, at The Oval. pic.twitter.com/PGQ9k0nNBn

— ICC (@ICC) September 11, 2019

Team India began the final innings with a 464-run target. Most of their batters succumbed to the pressure of the scoreboard as India were reduced to 121/5. Kohli and Pujara perished without troubling the scorers.

However, KL Rahul (149) and Rishabh Pant (114) joined forces and stitched a marathon 204-run partnership for the sixth wicket to give India hope.

But leg-spinner Adil Rashid(2/63) dismissed both of them and brought the curtains down on the chance of an unlikely Indian victory. India were dismissed for 345 and lost the match by 118 runs.

#ENGvIND at the Oval 2018India chasing 464 were 2-3 and then 121-5KL Rahul 149 and Rishabh Pant 114 put on 204 runs, India's highest for any wicket in 4th innings. Lost last 4 for 25 and match by 118 runs. pic.twitter.com/0OSEnECMjp

— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) August 30, 2021