London, August 4, 2025 — In a heart-stopping finale to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, India edged past England by six runs in the fifth Test at The Oval, leveling the five-match series 2–2. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj emerged as the hero, claiming a match-winning five-wicket haul on a tense final morning.
England resumed Day 5 at 339/6, needing just 35 runs to chase down India’s target of 374, with four wickets in hand. But under overcast skies, Siraj and fellow pacer Prasidh Krishna unleashed a relentless assault. Siraj dismissed Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton in quick succession, while Krishna cleaned up Josh Tongue with a searing 141 kph yorker.
Despite a dislocated shoulder, Chris Woakes bravely walked out to bat left-handed, joining Gus Atkinson in a last-ditch effort. Atkinson struck a six but ultimately fell to Siraj’s pinpoint yorker, sealing India’s dramatic win.
India’s second innings total of 396, powered by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 118 and Akash Deep’s 66, had set up the contest. England’s reply was anchored by centuries from Joe Root (105) and Harry Brook (111), but their lower order faltered under pressure.
The series saw fluctuating fortunes: England won the opener at Leeds, India bounced back at Birmingham, England edged ahead at Lord’s, and Manchester ended in a draw. The Oval Test capped off a fiercely competitive tour, with India retaining the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Siraj, reflecting on his performance, said, “I always believe in myself. I just focused on bowling in the right areas.” His redemption arc—from a dropped catch in Manchester to sealing victory in London—earned praise from fans and commentators alike.
The result underscores the resilience of India’s young squad, led by Shubman Gill, and marks one of their finest overseas Test triumphs in recent history.
