India Clinch Thrilling Six-Run Victory in 5th Test to Level Series 2-2

In a breathtaking finale to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, India secured a dramatic six-run victory over England in the 5th Test at The Oval, London, from July 31 to August 4, 2025, leveling the series at 2-2. Mohammed Siraj emerged as the hero, claiming a match-defining five-wicket haul in England’s second innings, as India defended a target of 374 in one of the closest finishes in Test cricket history.

• India 1st Innings: 224 (Karun Nair 57, Gus Atkinson 5-33)
• England 1st Innings: 247 (Zak Crawley 64, Mohammed Siraj 4-84, Prasidh Krishna 4-62)
• India 2nd Innings: 396 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 118, Josh Tongue 5-125)
• England 2nd Innings: 367 (Harry Brook 111, Joe Root 105, Ben Duckett 54, Mohammed Siraj 5-104, Prasidh Krishna 4-126)
• Result: India won by 6 runs
• Player of the Match: Mohammed Siraj (IND)
• Player of the Series: Shubman Gill (IND, 754 runs), Harry Brook (ENG, 481 runs)

Day 1: India Battle Through Rain and Atkinson’s Fire

The match began under overcast skies at The Oval, with rain interruptions shaping a truncated day. India, batting first, reached 204/6 by stumps, led by Karun Nair’s resilient 52*. Gus Atkinson’s fiery spell (2/31) and Josh Tongue’s quick dismissals of Sai Sudharsan and Ravindra Jadeja put England in control. A moment of madness saw India captain Shubman Gill run out for 21, adding pressure on the middle order. The Oval’s pitch, with a green tinge, offered early assistance to seamers, setting the tone for a bowler-dominated contest.

Day 2-3: India Fight Back, England Respond

India’s first innings ended at 224, with Atkinson claiming 5-33. England’s reply was steady but not dominant, reaching 247, as Zak Crawley’s 64 anchored the innings. Siraj (4-84) and Prasidh Krishna (4-62) kept India in the game, exploiting the pitch’s seam movement. In their second innings, India posted 396, powered by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s brilliant 118. Josh Tongue’s 5-125 ensured England stayed in the hunt, but a target of 374 loomed large.

Day 4: England’s Chase and Siraj’s Spark

England’s pursuit of 374 was driven by centuries from Harry Brook (111) and Joe Root (105), with Ben Duckett’s brisk 54 setting the pace. However, Siraj’s relentless bowling shifted momentum late on Day 4, as he removed key batsmen, leaving England at 339/6 at stumps. A thunderstorm halted play early, forcing the match into a fifth day with England needing 35 runs and India hunting four wickets. The heavy roller applied before play flattened the pitch slightly, tilting the odds toward England.

Day 5: Siraj’s Heroics Seal India’s Triumph

The final day delivered 53 deliveries of unparalleled drama. With England needing 27 runs, Siraj struck early, dismissing Jamie Smith (2) with a wide delivery that induced a nick to keeper Dhruv Jurel. Gus Atkinson survived a close call, but Siraj’s old-ball movement proved decisive. He trapped Jamie Overton lbw with a big inswinger, confirmed on review as clipping leg stump. Prasidh Krishna joined the attack, pinning Josh Tongue lbw, though a review showed the ball missing leg. Siraj sealed the victory with a pinpoint yorker to clean bowl Atkinson, sparking wild celebrations and his signature ‘Siu’ gesture. India’s six-run win marked their closest-ever Test victory by runs, surpassing the iconic 2005 Edgbaston Ashes thriller.

• Mohammed Siraj’s Redemption: After a fielding error gave Harry Brook a lifeline, Siraj’s 5-104 in England’s second innings, including three wickets on Day 5, earned him Player of the Match honors. His pace, movement, and tactical acumen were pivotal.
• Brook and Root’s Resilience: England’s chase was powered by Harry Brook’s aggressive 111 and Joe Root’s composed 105, but India’s bowlers held their nerve.
• Shubman Gill’s Leadership: Despite a first-innings lapse, Gill’s series tally of 754 runs earned him Player of the Series, showcasing his readiness for Test captaincy.
• Pitch and Weather: The Oval’s pitch offered early seam movement but flattened out, while rain interruptions, including a Day 4 thunderstorm, added drama.

Virat Kohli, retired from Tests, praised India’s resilience on X: “Great win by team india. Resilience and determination from Siraj and Prasidh has given us this phenomenal victory. Extremely happy for him @mdsirajofficial @prasidh43.” England’s head coach acknowledged India’s “deserved” victory, noting lessons to be learned.

With England leading 2-1 after a 22-run win at Lord’s, India’s fightback in Manchester and this Oval thriller ensured a 2-2 draw, retaining the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The series, marked by all five Tests reaching Day 5, reaffirmed Test cricket’s enduring appeal.

This epic encounter at The Oval, dubbed one of the greatest Test matches, showcased Mohammed Siraj’s brilliance and India’s grit. As Shubman Gill’s young side celebrated, England rued missed opportunities but left with pride in a fiercely contested series. Test cricket, alive and thriving, delivered a spectacle for the ages.