India beat England by 6 runs in a dramatic Oval Test, sealing a 2–2 series draw with Siraj’s five-wicket haul in a tense final hour.
5 Big Moments from Day 5
Here’s how the gripping final day unfolded:
👉 Siraj’s Stunning Final Spell
- Mohammed Siraj shone on the final day, taking 5 for 104 with pace and precision. He ended England’s fight by dismissing Gus Atkinson, sealing India’s thrilling six-run win.
👉 Krishna’s Crucial Blow
- Prasidh Krishna dismissed Josh Tongue with a searing yorker that opened the door for India. That single breakthrough shifted the momentum sharply in the visitors’ favour.
👉 Woakes’ Brave Return
- Battling a dislocated shoulder, Chris Woakes came to the crease with his arm in a sling. He didn’t face a delivery, but his decision to come to the crease symbolised England’s fighting spirit.
👉 England Collapse from 339/6 to 367 All Out
- With just 35 runs required, England’s lower order crumbled under pressure. The last four wickets fell in under an hour, handing India their narrowest Test win by runs.
👉 A Historic Six-Run Win
- India’s victory by six runs is their smallest margin in Test cricket by runs, an unforgettable finish that will be talked about for years.
📊 Day 5 Scorecard at a Glance
🏅 Top Performers
- Mohammed Siraj – Hero of the match with 5 wickets in the final innings, Player of the Match.
- Prasidh Krishna – Delivered the key breakthrough with a perfect yorker to Tongue.
- Harry Brook & Joe Root – Their 195-run stand nearly took England home before India’s fightback.
- Chris Woakes – Battled injury to walk out for his team’s cause.
⭐ Series Wrap-Up
- Top Run Scorer (India): Yashasvi Jaiswal – 521 runs in the series.
- Top Run Scorer (England): Joe Root – 487 runs in the series.
- Top Wicket Taker (India): Mohammed Siraj – 23 wickets.
- Top Wicket Taker (England): Josh Tongue – 21 wickets.
🎬 What Comes Next?
- With the series tied 2–2, India’s young squad under Shubman Gill has shown they can handle pressure on foreign soil. Siraj’s consistency across five Tests, despite the absence of senior bowlers like Bumrah and Shami, was a major factor in India’s comeback.
- England captain Ben Stokes hailed the series as “one of the best five-match contests I’ve played in” and praised India’s grit. Gill credited the win to “belief and never giving up, even when England were cruising.”
✅ Final Word
- From 339/6 to defeat, England’s collapse was a reminder that Test cricket is the ultimate test of skill, patience, and nerve.
- For India, this six run win is more than just a result, it’s a statement of resilience and team spirit.
- This summer’s contest will go down as one of the finest in the modern era, proving once again why Test cricket remains unmatched in drama and intensity.
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