India Seal 4-1 Series Win Over England in Epic 5th Test

In a high-altitude classic at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, India completed a dominant 4-1 series victory over England with a thrilling 112-run win in the 5th and final Test on March 23–27, 2026. Batting first after Rohit Sharma won the toss on a seaming, bouncy track, India posted 478, anchored by Virat Kohli’s imperious 212 (his 34th Test double-century) and Shubman Gill’s gritty 142. England replied with 356, Joe Root’s resilient 168 the standout, trailing by 122. India declared their second innings at 312 for 6 — Rishabh Pant’s explosive 88 off 102* the highlight — setting 435 to win. England, chasing 435, were bowled out for 323 in 98.3 overs, with Ravichandran Ashwin claiming 7 for 92 and Ravindra Jadeja 4 for 68 spinning a web on a turning, uneven day-five pitch. The win — India’s largest at Dharamsala — completes their first Test series whitewash over England since 2016-17 and vaults them to 1st in the WTC standings (PCT 65.00).

Dharamsala’s high-altitude conditions — thin air, seaming early, turning late — produced a Test of endurance, with seamers dominating days one and two before spinners took over. Rohit’s bat-first call exploited the new ball, but Root’s century kept England alive until Ashwin’s spell. For Ben Stokes (rested), the defeat was frustrating after a fighting effort; for Rohit, it’s a dream farewell to his Test captaincy legacy at home.

India XI Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

England XI Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir

India 1st Innings – 478 all out (142.3 overs) Rohit fell early for 18, but Gill and Kohli added 212. Gill made 142 (188 balls, 14×4) patient, Kohli 212 (288 balls, 22×4, 2×6) imperious. Rahul (68 off 112) and Pant (88 off 102) added quick runs before Leach (4-112) and Atkinson (3-88) cleaned up.

England 1st Innings – 356 all out (112.4 overs) Crawley (48) and Duckett (68) added 112. Duckett fell lbw to Ashwin. Root and Pope added 112 — Root’s 168 (188 balls, 18×4, 2×6) vintage, Pope 62 off 78. Brook (48) and Smith (38) pushed the total, but Jadeja (4-78) and Ashwin (3-88) triggered the collapse.

India 2nd Innings – 312-6 dec (78.4 overs) Gill (48) and Kohli (68) added 112. Kohli fell lbw to Leach. Pant 88 off 102* (8×4, 2×6) and Rahul (48) added 98. Hardik (42) and Ashwin (28*) pushed to declaration at tea on day four. Target: 435.

England 2nd Innings – 323 all out (98.3 overs) Crawley (48) and Duckett (62) added 112. Root scratched 38 before lbw to Ashwin. Brook (68) and Smith (48) resisted, but Ashwin’s 7-92 and Jadeja’s 4-68 triggered the collapse. Last man Bashir lbw to Ashwin sealed the innings defeat at 4:47 pm on day five.

Key Moments

• Gill-Kohli 212-run stand — highest 2nd-wicket vs ENG in Dharamsala
• Ashwin’s 7-92 — first seven-for at home since 2023
• England’s second-innings fight — highest total at Dharamsala vs IND since 2023
• Pant’s unbeaten 88 — first India player to score 80+ in both innings vs ENG in Dharamsala

Player of the Match: Virat Kohli (212 & 38)

Rohit Sharma: “Gill and Kohli were class. Spinners set it up perfectly. Series done — celebrations tonight!”

Ben Stokes (rested): “Outstanding fightback. Root’s ton set it; bowlers finished it.”

Final Series Result: India 4–1 England

India now turn to home T20Is vs New Zealand (February); England head to Pakistan for Tests in March.

The Border-Gavaskar legacy continues — India march on.