PIcture : BCCI/ X
Going into the fifth Test of the Anderson – Tendulakr five- match series, England and India had their plans clear . England needed draw as they lead the series 2-1. India needed a win to slavage a series from losing.
In the end of a gripping five- day battle that saw fortunes change for both sides , it was India who had the last laugh as they romped home by barest of margins by just six runs to level the series 2-2. It was a fitting end to an engrossing series that went down to the wire.
💬💬 Words of appreciation for #TeamIndia‘s exhilarating victory at the Oval 👏👏 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/ZHgS4BciLj
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 5, 2025
England without regular skipper Ben Stokes were led by batsman Ollie Pope who won the toss and opted to bat first. And England could managed a below par 247 /10. For England Zak Crawley ( 64), Ben Duckett ( 43) Skipper Pope ( 22) . Joe Root ( 29), Harry Brook ( 53) were the leading scorers.
India with Jasprit Bumrah rested reason workload kept the English total down. Prasidh Krishnna supported the seam attack with 4/62 . Siraj was with impressive with his spell 4/86. Akash Deep 1/80
What makes this team so special?
Hear it from #TeamIndia Captain Shubman Gill 🗣️#ENGvIND | @ShubmanGill
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 5, 2025
In reply , India were rocked early with Yashasvi Jaiswal out for ( 2), The rest of the batting failed to live- up. India struggled to reach 224 before beeing bowed out . The batsmen scores read as – K L Rahul ( 14), Sai Sudharsan ( 38), Skipper Shubman Gill Gill (21). A probable Test match career saving innings came from Karun Nair ( 57) , Ravindra Jadeja (9), Dhruv Jurel ( 19) , Wasington Sundar chipped in with 26.
English bowers had brought the team back into the contest by restricting India by taking slender lead . Gus Atkinson led the way with 5/33. Josh Tongue 3/57. Chris Woakes 1/46.
India’s batting second time would decide the fate of the match. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal led the charge with a fine 118. K L Rahul ( 7) and Sai Sudharsan ( 11) were out cheaply. Unknown Akash Deep excelled with the bat to score aa crucial 66. Skipper Gill out for 11, Karun Nair ( 17), Ravindra Jadeja ( 53) , Dhruv Jurel ( 34) Washington Sundar ( 53) . These wre vitals runs in the close contest . India were bolwed out for 396/10. Setting England a target of 374 to win the series 3-1. Game on
Chasing England lost Zak Crawley for 14, Ben Duckett for 54. Skipper Pope 27. English hopes for win were give a boost with two centurions Joe Root ( 105) and Harry Brook ( 111) . India just hung on there. And kept taking wickets when needed. England batting succumbed to pressure and espite some late order heroics from Gus Atkinson ( 17) and Chris Woakes batting with one- hand . England fell agonisingly close out for 367/10 . Losing by just 6 runs. India thus levelling the series 2-2.
For India Siraj was oustanding with figures 5/104, Prasidh Krishna gave great support 4/ 126, Akash Deep 1/ 85.
The joy in face of young Team India skipper Shubman Gill ( His first series as Test Captian) said it all. What the series meant for the young team. A new era begins with confidence surely. 2-2 is huge sigh of releif for Team India head coach Gautram Gambhir as well. Gill – Gambhir era begins with postive intent. Future looks bright.
