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LONDON: It was at The Oval that India won their first Test in England way back in 1971. Forty-seven years down the line, it could so easily have been another chance to create history at this magnificent venue, but that's done and dusted.

India have frittered away opportunities and lost the series 1-3 and the disappointment is palpable among the fans who had made elaborate preparations to be at the venue through the weekend, shouting for the team that they truly care for staying so far away from home.

The Indian contingent though, isn't that downcast. Or even if they are, it's not showing. 

's boys see this Test as an opportunity to win a few brownie points and go home with a sense of victory at least in public memory. They did it successfully in Johannesburg a few months back.

But England will come harder than South Africa. For them, it's a chance to give their former captain 

 a farewell that he deserves after 12 successful years in cricket. While Cook finishes his journey here, this Test is set to mark the beginning of the road for Andhra middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari, who bowls a bit of off-spin.