India completed a seismic comeback on Monday to level the five-match Test series against England at 2‑2. The Men in Blue seized a memorable six‑run victory at The Oval in what has already been dubbed one of the greatest Test matches in recent memory.
Shubman Gill’s India, captained by the 25-year-old in his debut series following the retirement of legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, refused to buckle under pressure. They overcame a deficit of 35 runs on the final morning and, through relentless bowling led by Mohammed Siraj, bowled England out for 367—just short of the 374 required to win the series
A Dramatic Final Morning
England began the final day needing only 35 runs with four wickets in hand. A blistering partnership between Joe Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) had placed them firmly in control. England took the score to 301 for 3 by the close of play on Day 4, but they lost three wickets by the end of the day to finish on 339/6. Yet, momentum swung on the morning of August 4. Chris Woakes, injured with a dislocated shoulder, walked out to bat in a sling despite being unable to bowl and never facing a delivery. That was a symbol of defiance and leadership.
Siraj broke through early, dismissing Jamie Smith to trigger England’s collapse. Within a tense hour, four wickets tumbled, narrowing the target. Gus Atkinson fell to a yorker from the Indian pacer, sealing India’s win and marking England’s narrowest Test defeat by runs in history.
Heroes of the Day: Siraj, Sundar, Krishna
Mohammed Siraj finished the match with figures of five for 104 in the second innings. His match haul took him to nine wickets—capping a standout series where he claimed 23 wickets overall, leading India’s pace attack in Bumrah’s partial absence. His final-ball yorker to Atkinson will likely go down in Test folklore.
Washington Sundar played a pivotal role earlier in the second innings. He joined Prasidh Krishna for a last-wicket stand of 39 runs—from just 25 deliveries—that swung the game back in India’s favour. Sundar’s aggressive 53 off 46 included four fours and as many sixes.
Prasidh Krishna also proved a vital component, returning to the playing XI after earlier omissions and taking eight wickets in the match. Karnataka coach Yere Goud lauded Krishna as a “match‑winner,” reflecting on the mental strength he showed amid external criticism.
Series Context and Legacy
The Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy—the newly instituted trophy replacing the Pataudi Trophy—will be shared as the series ended in a draw. By virtue of having held it previously, India retains the silverware despite the split outcome.
Shubman Gill stood tall throughout the series. He scored 754 runs at an average of approximately 75.34, including four centuries—remarkable returns in his first series as captain. His composure under pressure won widespread admiration, both from teammates and former rivals.
England, too, had their bright moments: Brook and Root featured prominently. Brook ended the series as England’s Player of the Series. Even so, England coach Brendon McCullum acknowledged the high quality of the contest. He praised Siraj for his performance, stating the series stood as one of the all‑time great Test encounters—even in defeat.
What it Means for Test Cricket
Observers hailed the series as a revival of elite Test cricket. A Times editorial compared it to the 2005 Ashes in terms of intensity. The paper called it vital evidence that multi-day cricket still resonates deeply in the modern era. The editorial also criticized cricket authorities for shortening series like this one to accommodate franchise T20 competitions, arguing that traditional five-match tours remain the highest form of the game.
India’s resilience, despite the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravichandran Ashwin, also speaks to the bench strength they continue to build. England’s collapse highlighted the weaknesses beneath their aggressive “Bazball” philosophy. Now, questions persist over their ability to close games when adversity strikes and the importance of leadership depth beyond players like injured Ben Stokes and Woakes, who struggles with fitness).
Final Outcome
India: 224 & 396 (Jaiswal 118, Sundar 53)
England: 247 & 367 (Brook 111, Root 105)
Result: India won by 6 runs
Series: Drawn 2–2; India retain Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy
