In a fitting finale to the England-India Test series at The Oval, Shubman Gill's India edged past England by six runs, India's narrowest Test victory ever, to draw the five-match series 2-2 and share the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Chasing 374, England were bowled out for 367, with pacer Mohammed Siraj delivering a match-winning five-wicket haul, including three vital breakthroughs on the final day.

Siraj, who had earlier dropped Harry Brook on Day 4, allowing the England batter to complete a century, redeemed himself with a fiery second-innings spell. Prasidh Krishna also starred with the ball, taking four wickets in each innings, stepping up admirably in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. His dismissals of Jacob Bethell and Joe Root in the final session of Day 4 were crucial in turning the tide.

Shubman Gill, leading India in a full Test series for the first time, capped off a stellar individual performance by scoring 754 runs, ending as the highest run-scorer of the series. His mature leadership and dominant batting silenced doubts about his readiness to captain at the highest level.

Washington Sundar, often overlooked, made a vital contribution with the bat. His 39-run cameo in a last-wicket partnership—including four sixes—proved to be the difference between defeat and victory.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir, under scrutiny after early losses, will feel relieved as the team showed grit and resolve to bounce back and level the series. England skipper Ben Stokes admitted the loss was hard to take. “Bitterly disappointed we couldn’t get over the line,” he said. “But proud of the effort the boys put in.”

With this draw, India not only salvaged pride but also set the tone for the upcoming World Test Championship cycle.

In a fitting finale to the England-India Test series at The Oval, Shubman Gill's India edged past England by six runs, India's narrowest Test victory ever, to draw the five-match series 2-2 and share the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Chasing 374, England were bowled out for 367, with pacer Mohammed Siraj delivering a match-winning five-wicket haul, including three vital breakthroughs on the final day.

Siraj, who had earlier dropped Harry Brook on Day 4, allowing the England batter to complete a century, redeemed himself with a fiery second-innings spell. Prasidh Krishna also starred with the ball, taking four wickets in each innings, stepping up admirably in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. His dismissals of Jacob Bethell and Joe Root in the final session of Day 4 were crucial in turning the tide.

Shubman Gill, leading India in a full Test series for the first time, capped off a stellar individual performance by scoring 754 runs, ending as the highest run-scorer of the series. His mature leadership and dominant batting silenced doubts about his readiness to captain at the highest level.

Washington Sundar, often overlooked, made a vital contribution with the bat. His 39-run cameo in a last-wicket partnership—including four sixes—proved to be the difference between defeat and victory.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir, under scrutiny after early losses, will feel relieved as the team showed grit and resolve to bounce back and level the series. England skipper Ben Stokes admitted the loss was hard to take. “Bitterly disappointed we couldn’t get over the line,” he said. “But proud of the effort the boys put in.”

With this draw, India not only salvaged pride but also set the tone for the upcoming World Test Championship cycle.