In one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Indian Test history, Team India defeated England by 6 runs in a nerve-wracking finish at The Oval, levelling the five-match series 2-2. With just 35 runs needed and 4 wickets in hand, England seemed poised for victory on the final day—until Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna delivered a bowling masterclass to seal the win.

Siraj–Krishna Duo Crush England's Hopes

• Day 5 began with tension high: Craig Overton hit two early boundaries, but Siraj struck immediately, removing Jamie Smith and then Overton, swinging momentum India’s way.

• Prasidh Krishna cleaned up Josh Tongue, making it 9 down.

• Despite a gutsy stand by Chris Woakes (batting injured) and Gus Atkinson, Siraj sealed the win by bowling Atkinson, bowling England out for 367.

Siraj: The Hero of The Oval

• 9 wickets in the match, including 5 in the second innings.

• 23 wickets in the series – the highest by any bowler, and the most ever by an Indian pacer in a 5-Test series in England.

A Series of Highs and Heart-Stoppers

Earlier on Day 4, England resumed at 50/1, chasing 399. They stumbled early, losing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope to Siraj and Krishna. But then, Joe Root and Harry Brook launched a stunning counterattack.

• 195-run partnership brought England within striking distance.

• Siraj’s blunder: He caught Brook on 19 off Krishna, but stepped on the boundary – giving Brook a life that turned into a century.

• Root followed with his third consecutive century of the series.

Just when England looked set at 300+, Prasidh Krishna broke through, dismissing Bethell and Root in quick succession, reducing England from 332/4 to 337/6. Rain halted play, pushing the final drama to Day 5.

A Win 77 Years in the Making

• This is India’s first win in the final match of an overseas five-Test series in 77 years.

• India had lost or drawn the final Tests in their previous 16 five-match away series.

• Under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, India not only bounced back from a 1-2 deficit but ended the series on a historic high.