Bureau, August 5, 2025: Despite missing stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah, India’s youthful Test team, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, achieved a remarkable feat by drawing the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Test series against England 2-2. The series concluded dramatically on Monday at The Oval, where Mohammed Siraj’s lethal bowling secured a thrilling 6-run victory in the fifth and final Test, ensuring India avoided defeat in a fiercely contested series.
Facing numerous challenges, including the absence of key players who recently retired and a struggling Karun Nair, who returned after eight years, India’s inexperienced squad showcased resilience. On the final day, England, starting at 339/6, needed just 35 runs to win, while India required four wickets. Siraj turned the tide, dismissing Jamie Smith in the third ball of his first over and Jamie Overton in the fifth ball of his second over. Prasidh Krishna then bowled out Jos Tongue, forcing an injured Chris Woakes, who hadn’t batted in the first innings due to a shoulder injury, to take the crease with his left arm strapped. With England needing 17 runs, Gus Atkinson played cautiously, relying on boundaries and singles. However, Siraj sealed the victory in the 86th over by uprooting Atkinson’s off-stump, sparking jubilation among Indian fans.
This win marked India’s closest Test victory by runs (6) in history and prevented a series loss. Since their 4-1 home triumph in 2018, England has not won a Test series against India, with the 2021-22 series also ending in a 2-2 draw. Siraj, stepping up in Bumrah’s absence, claimed 9 wickets (4/86 and 5/104) in the final Test, earning the Player of the Match award and finishing as the series’ leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets. Shubman Gill, with 754 runs, was named India’s Player of the Series, while Harry Brook (481 runs) received the honor for England.
Despite initial doubts about Gill’s leadership, the team’s fighting spirit proved critics wrong. All five Tests went to the fifth day, with India’s two losses being narrowly missed opportunities, signaling a promising future for this young squad.
