India pulled off one of the most dramatic Test victories in cricket history, edging England by just six runs at The Oval to level the Rothesay Test series 2-2. The match ended in sheer theatre, with Mohammed Siraj bowling Gus Atkinson to seal the win, despite a valiant and emotional stand by Chris Woakes, who came out to bat with a dislocated shoulder and arm in a sling.
In pursuit of 374—their second-highest potential successful chase and the highest ever at The Oval—England resumed the final day at 339-6, needing just 35 more runs with four wickets in hand. It was a tantalizingly close prospect, but India’s bowlers produced a gripping finale.
Jamie Overton offered a brief spark early in the day with a pair of boundaries off Prasidh Krishna, reducing the deficit to 27, before the pendulum swung again. Jamie Smith was dismissed by Siraj after edging behind, and Overton fell lbw shortly after, despite challenging the decision. Reviews showed the ball barely clipping leg stump, triggering wild celebrations from the Indian camp.
Atkinson and Josh Tongue tried to resist the pressure under overcast skies and the piercing noise of a crowd dominated by Indian supporters. Tongue survived a close lbw call on review but was bowled shortly after, leaving England teetering.
With nine wickets down and 17 runs still needed, the Oval crowd was stunned as Chris Woakes walked out, his left arm tucked into his sweater. He didn’t face a single ball but played a vital role in running singles and rotating strike with Atkinson.
Atkinson briefly ignited England’s hopes by hitting a massive six off Siraj—parried over the boundary by Akash Deep—and narrowed the target to just 11. The Indian fielders held their ground, choosing to defend the boundary rather than crowd the bat. Woakes managed to scamper a bye and kept the strike rotation going.
Ultimately, it was Siraj who had the final say. With England requiring seven runs, he bowled a lethal yorker that dismantled Atkinson’s stumps, claiming a five-wicket haul and sealing India’s narrowest-ever victory by runs in a Test match.
The celebrations were momentarily paused as Indian players went over to commend Woakes for his bravery. Then came the jubilant lap of honour, a reward for a team that showed immense character and resilience.
The series itself has been one of the most compelling in modern memory, drawing comparisons to the 2005 Ashes. Both teams entered the fifth and final Test bruised and battered. India played without key figures like Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, yet still managed to find new heroes, including Jaiswal with the bat and Siraj with the ball. England were without Ben Stokes and lost Woakes to injury early in the match.
Over the seven weeks of fierce cricket, the series delivered unforgettable moments—from England’s thrilling win at Headingley to India’s gritty fightbacks at Edgbaston and Old Trafford. Players on both sides battled through injuries, including Pant’s broken foot, Bashir’s fractured finger, and Woakes’ dislocated shoulder.
Though England missed the chance to win a five-Test series for the first time since 2018 and now shift focus to the Ashes later this year, this series will be remembered not for what was lost, but for the relentless spirit, exceptional skill, and unyielding drama it offered to fans around the world.
The next chapter begins with the first Ashes Test in Perth on November 21. But the echoes of this Oval showdown—and the 2-2 series result—will resonate for years.