WTC Final: What is India’s record in Tests at the Oval?
The final of the Test Cricket World Cup will see two heavyweights from India and Australia square off at The Oval in London from 7 June for the ultimate Test cricket prize.
India will be taking part in the decider for the second time and will be hoping to do even better than the first tournament, where they lost to New Zealand in the final.
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For Australia, it will be in the final for the first time after showing a strong performance in qualifying to cement their place.
A Brief History of The Oval
The Oval, currently known as the Kia Oval for sponsorship reasons, is an iconic international cricket ground in the Kennington area of south London. It has served as the home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club since it was founded in 1845.
With a rich history spanning over 175 years, The Oval has witnessed numerous significant cricket matches and unforgettable moments. It was the site of the very first Test match on English soil, played between England and Australia in 1880. This game is widely considered to be the birth of Test cricket.
It has a seating capacity of around 25,500 spectators and is known for its distinctive gasometer that adorns the grounds.
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How did India fare in friendlies at The Oval?
India played their first friendly at The Oval back in 1936 against hosts England. They were second best in each division and lost the game by nine wickets.
Vijay Merchant and Mushtaq Ali hit hard fifties in the first innings while Dilawar (54), Hussain and CK Nayadu (81) shone in the second innings.
The next two Test games in 1946 and 1952 were drawn, but England won the fourth in 1959 by an innings and 27 runs.
It took India 35 years to win their first friendly match at this venue. Led by Ajit Wadekar, India beat England by four wickets. Bhagwath Chandrasekhar chose six wickets in the second inning to limit the Three Lions to just 101.
In the pursuit of 172, India lost Sunil Gavaskar for a duck and Akshok Mankad for just 11. Against all odds, however, Wadekar (45) and Dilip Sardesai (40) formed a partnership that helped India fight back. After the duo’s dismissal, Gundappa Viswanath and Farokh Engineer went all out and ensured India crossed the finish line.
Interestingly, it remained India’s only win at The Oval through 2021 when Men in Blue Virat Kohlis beat the hosts by 157 runs. Rohit Sharma was named man of the match for his 127 runs in the second inning, which helped India amassed 466 runs from the board. Later, pacesetters Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Shardul Thakur joined the group and beat England by just 210 points.
India have played 14 friendlies at The Oval, winning just two of them. Five of these were won by England while the rest ended in a draw.
| Date | winner | edge |
| 15-18 Aug 1936 | England | 9 gates |
| 17-20 Aug 1946 | Pull | – |
| 14-19 Aug 1952 | Pull | – |
| 20-24 Aug 1959 | England | innings and 27 runs |
| 19-24 Aug 1971 | India | 4 gates |
| August 30 – September 4, 1979 | Pull | – |
| 8th-13th July 1982 | Pull | – |
| 23-28 Aug 1990 | Pull | – |
| 5th-9th Sep 2002 | Pull | – |
| 9th-13th Aug 2007 | Pull | – |
| 18-22 August 2011 | England | innings and 8 runs |
| 15-17 Aug 2014 | England | innings and 244 runs |
| 7th-11th Sept 2018 | England | 118 runs |
| 2nd-6th Sep 2021 | India | 157 runs |