Team India pulled off a breathtaking 6-run victory over England at The Oval, levelling the five-match series 2–2 and scripting an unforgettable chapter in cricket folklore.
Resuming day five with England needing only 57 runs and four wickets in hand, India’s pace attack rose to the occasion.
Siraj’s Thunderous Finish:
The match climaxed as Mohammed Siraj bowled a dream delivery—a yorker that shattered Gus Atkinson’s stumps—to seal the win. Siraj claimed 5 wickets in the second innings and 9 in the match, emerging as the undisputed hero of India’s dramatic comeback.
🧤 Woakes’ Courageous Stand:
Despite a painful shoulder injury, England’s Chris Woakes batted one-handed, with one arm tucked inside his sweater, earning praise from Captain Shubman Gill and admiration across the cricketing world.
🏏 India’s Battle Back:
- First Innings: India struggled, posting just 224 after early dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. Karun Nair’s gritty 57 provided brief resistance.
- Second Innings Revival: Jaiswal and Gill struck commanding centuries (118 and 119, respectively), propelling India to 396. Karun Nair (73) and Washington Sundar (53) added crucial runs.
🧱 England’s Response & Collapse:
Chasing a target of 403, England looked strong with Joe Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) leading the charge. But Root’s dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse. The hosts were bowled out for 367, falling short by just 6 runs.
🔥 Bowling Brilliance:
Prasidh Krishna (4 wickets), Akash Deep (1 wicket), and Siraj combined forces to dismantle England’s resistance, delivering India’s narrowest-ever Test victory.
🔚 With the series locked at 2–2, the match stands as a testament to India’s resilience, strategic depth, and a never-say-die spirit that electrified fans worldwide.
