Childish. Emotional. Tiresome. Whatever your take on the antagonism that marked the end of the fourth test between England and India, it’s difficult to argue that the episode has done anything other than intensify the mental battle that will play out during the series decider at The Oval.

Predicting how the two teams will psychologically prepare for the fifth Test is trickier, though. In this episode of The Mind Room podcast, Harshal Patel, Indian T20 international, and Tim Harkness, Head of Soccer Affairs at the Saudi Pro League and Chelsea's ex-Head of Psychology and Sport Science, examine the strategies and tactics that coaching, backroom and playing staff might employ to gain a mental edge.

The duo look at the situations that both sides could face in the fifth Test, how individual and team characteristics might influence their reactions and what impact this may have on a psychological battle that could define the series.

You can listen to the episode in full via the audio player at the top of this article.

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