India script dramatic win in a thriller over England to level the series 2-2, Siraj, Prasidh shines

 

India finally overcame a gripping 5th day morning to script one of the most thrilling test match wins of any era . England who at one stage of day 4 were cantering to an easy win & were rattled towards the fag end of day 4 and Indian bowlers carried the momentum into the all important  day 5. 

Before the start of play, India needed 4 wickets; England needed just 35 runs. Could there still be a twist? Would India’s pacers pull off something magical, or would the English batters snatch the Oval Test away? The Indian pace attack had other plans. With a stunning six-run win, India scripted an unforgettable victory at The Oval, powered by sheer pace. Shubman Gill’s “New India” ensured the series ended in a draw as the team returned from England with heads held high. This wasn’t just a win—it was a triumph for Test cricket itself.

Every match in this series had gone into the fifth day—and each delivered high drama. The Oval was no different. The final day began with a couple of boundaries from Jamie Overton. Then, a catch went down. Was India’s chance gone? Not yet. Mohammed Siraj got Dhruv Jurel to take a sharp catch off Jamie Smith who looked very nervous during his 2 runs knock —England still needed 27. Then Siraj struck again, trapping Overton LBW. Now, just 20 runs to win for England. An appeal was turned down. Then Tongue was yorked by Prasidh . A wounded Chris Woakes, with a strapped shoulder, limped out to bat. Test cricket had delivered full entertainment.

At one end stood Gus Atkinson, at the other, Woakes with one hand tucked inside his sweater. Siraj steamed in, and Atkinson, with eyes half shut, swung blindly. Akash Deep dropped the catch—it flew for six. Off the last ball of the over, they risked a single—Jurel missed the stumps. Another over began. Atkinson again on strike. This time, Siraj got him—caught! Match over. India had pulled off a miraculous win. Siraj was the undisputed hero.

The match might have ended on Day 4 itself. But poor light forced an early stumps, just when India’s pace battery had found their rhythm. After Joe Root’s century, it was Prasidh Krishna who dismissed him for 105. Harry Brook, too, had earlier fallen for 111. That fiery phase gave India belief. If they won, it would be 2-2. If not, the series would be lost 3-1. But Gill's side didn’t let that happen.

India had scored 224 in the first innings. England replied with 247. Trailing by 23 runs, India set a massive 374-run target. No team had ever chased more than 263 at The Oval in a fourth innings. England needed a record. Woakes, with a shoulder injury, was pacing the dressing room, ready to bat if needed. But just when things were heating up, the skies opened. Heavy rain halted play, ending Day 4 prematurely. So it all came down to Day 5.

Play lasted barely over an hour—but it was enough. India won by just six runs. Calm minds, steely resolve. Gill’s team showed they too know the formula for a comeback. As captain, he returned with a drawn series from England—a moral victory, one might say. The Rohit-Virat era may be behind us, but this “New India” has arrived. Mistakes were made, lessons learned—but this comeback gave India a mantra to carry into the future.