India wins Oval Test Match against England

August 4, 2025

London: In a nail-biting finish at The Oval, India defeated England by 6 runs in the fifth and final Test match, drawing the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series 2-2. Chasing a formidable 374, England fell agonizingly short at 367/9, with Mohammed Siraj’s five-wicket haul sealing a dramatic victory for the visitors.

The match, which concluded on Monday, saw England resume Day 5 at 339/6, needing 35 runs with four wickets in hand. India’s pace trio of Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep bowled with relentless precision, exploiting variable bounce and late movement. Siraj struck early, dismissing Jamie Overton via an LBW review, while Jadeja’s brilliant fielding denied England crucial runs. The hosts’ hopes faded as Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith struggled against the new ball, with Siraj’s swinging deliveries proving decisive.

India’s second innings

Earlier, India’s second innings was powered by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 118, supported by half-centuries from Akash Deep (66), Ravindra Jadeja (53), and Washington Sundar (53), setting a challenging target. England’s chase was dominated by a 195-run partnership between Harry Brook (111 off 98 balls) and Joe Root (105), but their dismissals late on Day 4, coupled with Jacob Bethell’s fall, swung momentum back to India. Despite a valiant effort, England couldn’t overcome the inspired Indian bowling attack.

Shubman Gill over Team India’s win

Captain Shubman Gill hailed the team’s resilience, stating, “This comeback reflects our belief and fight. Siraj and the bowlers were outstanding.” England’s stand-in captain Ollie Pope acknowledged the close contest, saying, “It was a fantastic series, but we fell just short today.” The match, dedicated to Graham Thorpe, saw Root honor his mentor with a poignant century celebration.

This victory marks India’s second Test win at The Oval since 1971, ending a gripping series that saw 14 scores of 300-plus, equaling the record set in the 1928/29 Ashes. Fans at The Oval witnessed a classic, with India’s spirited fightback ensuring a memorable series finale.