In one of the most dramatic finishes in recent Test history, India pulled off a sensational six-run win over England at The Oval to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna spearheaded a spirited Day 5 bowling assault that turned the match—and the series—on its head.
England’s Record Chase Derailed in Final Session
Set a steep target of 374, England looked poised to pull off the highest-ever fourth-innings chase at The Oval, a record that has stood unbroken for 123 years. Heroic centuries from Harry Brook (111) and Joe Root (105) formed a stunning 195-run stand for the fourth wicket and had India on the ropes.
But cricket is a game of moments—and India found theirs.
Late Day 4 Spark Ignites Indian Fightback
The turning point came late on Day 4 when Prasidh Krishna removed Jacob Bethell and then knocked over Joe Root in the very next over. Suddenly, the mood shifted. England went from dominant to vulnerable. Rain and bad light delayed the climax, but the momentum had started to swing.
Siraj’s Final-Day Brilliance Seals Victory
Resuming at 339/6, England needed just 35 runs with four wickets in hand. Jamie Overton threatened briefly with a couple of early boundaries, but Mohammed Siraj had other plans.
Siraj struck early, dismissing Jamie Smith with a sharp delivery outside off. In his next over, he trapped Overton lbw—a marginal but crucial decision upheld by the umpire. Krishna then delivered a pinpoint yorker to remove Josh Tongue. Chris Woakes, nursing a shoulder injury, hobbled to the crease but barely lasted. Siraj returned to finish it off, dismissing Atkinson and sparking wild celebrations.
With 5/73, Siraj claimed his fifth career five-wicket haul and ended the series as the top wicket-taker with 23 scalps.
Jaiswal and Sundar Set the Foundation
India’s comeback didn’t begin on Day 5—it started on Day 3 when they posted a gutsy 396 in their second innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal anchored the batting with a fluent 118, while Washington Sundar added a crucial 53 late in the innings. It was enough to set England a near-impossible target, one that proved just out of reach.
Pivotal Moments That Changed the Game
- Siraj’s relentless spells on Day 4 rattled Duckett and Pope, claiming both and halting England’s momentum.
- Brook’s missed catch at the boundary (a Siraj overstep) gave England hope, but also set up more tension.
- Bethell’s wild swipe post-Tea, followed by Root’s dismissal next over, tilted the match toward India.
- Siraj’s Day 5 burst, including his final spell, sealed one of the most memorable finishes in recent Test history.
A Series to Remember Ends All Square
The five-Test battle ended with both teams level at 2-2—a fitting result for a hard-fought series filled with high drama, stunning individual performances, and emotional swings.
India’s win at The Oval wasn’t just about the scorecard. It was about belief, grit, and refusing to back down. As Siraj and Krishna led the charge, they reminded everyone what Test cricket is all about: fighting till the very end.
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