India Pull Off Thrilling Win at The Oval to Level Series 2-2

In a dramatic finish at The Oval on Monday, India pulled off a stunning six-run victory over England in the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Despite centuries from Harry Brook and Joe Root, England’s hopes of pulling off a record-breaking chase crumbled in the first session of Day 5. Mohammed Siraj led India’s charge with a fiery spell, claiming his fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket to help level the series at 2-2.

England, chasing 374, resumed the final day needing just 35 runs with two wickets in hand. Overnight batters Jamie Overton and Jamie Smith looked to take the hosts home, while a visibly injured Chris Woakes—ruled out earlier due to a shoulder issue—was seen practicing left-handed batting on the sidelines. Woakes did eventually walk out, practically one-handed, and helped Gus Atkinson inch closer to the target, but India held their nerve.

Overton gave England early hope with two boundaries off Prasidh Krishna in the opening over. But the momentum shifted quickly. Siraj struck in his first two overs—first removing Smith with a wide delivery that nicked behind, and then trapping Overton lbw with a marginal call that required a lengthy deliberation from umpire Kumar Dharmasena.

Krishna then delivered a pinpoint yorker to dismiss Josh Tongue, leaving England nine down. Woakes came in to bat with a sling on his arm and managed to survive briefly, but Siraj ended England’s chase by bowling Atkinson, wrapping up the innings at 367.

**India’s Fightback Began on Day 4**

India had posted a commanding 396 in their second innings, thanks to a classy 118 from Yashasvi Jaiswal and a quickfire 53 from Washington Sundar. The total set England a daunting 374 to win — a fourth-innings chase no team had ever pulled off at The Oval. The highest successful run chase at the venue had remained England’s 263 against Australia way back in 1902.

England, however, came close. In true 'Bazball' fashion, Brook and Root stitched together a brilliant 195-run stand for the fourth wicket, keeping the dream alive. Brook smashed a rapid 111 off 98 balls — his second century of the series — and Root followed with a composed hundred of his own, pushing India to the brink.

But things unraveled quickly. Jacob Bethell, filling in for the injured Ben Stokes, looked out of sorts during his stay at the crease. After Tea on Day 4, he played a reckless shot to drag the ball onto his stumps off Krishna. In the same spell, Krishna removed the well-set Root, caught behind, which gave India an opening they would not squander.

**Siraj Shines Brightest**

Siraj had been relentless throughout the series, and Day 4 was no exception. He constantly tested opener Ben Duckett, who eventually edged a drive off Krishna to second slip for 54. Ollie Pope, leading in place of Stokes, played a few fluent strokes but was undone by a Siraj delivery that stayed low and jagged back in, trapping him lbw for 27 — Siraj’s 20th wicket of the series.

Though he fumbled a crucial chance when he overstepped while taking a catch off Brook at fine leg — turning a dismissal into six runs — Siraj bounced back with fire and precision on Day 5, finishing with figures that sealed India’s memorable win.

**Final Take**

The victory at The Oval means the five-match series ends 2-2, a fair reflection of a hard-fought contest between two sides that exchanged momentum throughout. India’s resilience in defending a target in difficult conditions and their clinical bowling effort on the final morning capped off a thrilling end to the series.