England, India Battle Fatigue in Decisive Fifth Test at Oval

As the England-India Test cricket series heads into its final and decisive fifth match at The Oval, both teams are grappling with mental and physical fatigue after a grueling schedule of five Tests in under seven weeks. The fourth Test at Old Trafford ended in a tense draw after England captain Ben Stokes offered a handshake to conclude the match early, which India declined to allow Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to complete their centuries, sparking frustration and heated on-field exchanges. Former England player Jonathan Trott acknowledged the understandable frustrations on both sides, noting the contrasting priorities between team goals and individual milestones, and predicted a spicy final Test. England star Jacob Bethell shared insights into the players' mindset during the series, describing how batters try to relax and conserve energy while waiting to bat amid intense on-field competition and banter. The series has seen physical strain especially on fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer, with teams managing injuries carefully ahead of the final showdown. Despite tensions and fatigue, the closely contested series reflects high stakes and fierce competition, with India aiming to level the series and England striving to secure victory.