India pulled off a sensational, nail-biting 6-run win in the 5th test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval to finish on even terms. The victory ensured that the young Indian team have not only restored their pride, but has emerged as a force to reckon with, and a sense of new belief. Upstaging England in their backyard and dominating major parts of the series was no ordinary achievement. It was the culmination of one of the all-time Test series played in the 21st century -- and certainly in England.
Pundits called the five-match series the best since the Ashes in 2005. Still, crucially, this rechristened instalment of the Pataudi Trophy is a timely advertisement for the longest format, one which is losing out globally to the thrills of T20 franchise cricket. This series shows why Test cricket is considered the pinnacle of the sport. Across five matches, fans witnessed the full spectrum of what makes Tests the revered format -- a test of character, skill, and endurance unlike any other.
To begin with, the series was a baptism by fire for India's new captain, Shubman Gill. After the retirements of three legends -- Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin -- the talented batter was thrust with the responsibility of leading this young Indian team, devoid of much experience of batting in the tricky English conditions, apart from KL Rahul. A bigger challenge for Shubman was to work with a bowling attack with no proven second-fiddle seamers to support Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, especially considering Bumrah was to play only three Tests out of five.
Gill’s debut series as captain turned into a tour de force -- not just for his remarkable 754 runs but for the calm leadership he displayed under pressure. It signalled the arrival of a long-term leader. The way Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna ripped through England at The Oval will enter the folklore of India’s greatest away wins. Players like Akash Deep and Washington Sundar chipped in decisively, after young Yashasvi Jaiswal's century, proving that this is a squad built for the long haul, not just a core team carrying the burden.
The Oval finale will be remembered for the grit and determination shown by players from both teams. If the injured Rishab Pant walked in to bat with a fractured toe in the 4th Test, it was Chris Woakes who braved a dislocated shoulder and came in to bat at the tail-end of the 5th Test with a bandaged hand that was tucked inside his t-shirt. In a heroic gesture, he took guard at the non-striker’s end and ran singles in visible pain in a gallant effort to try and put England across the finish line.
England, under Ben Stokes, continued their Bazball blueprint -- but the final Test showed that flair without finish leaves questions. Their batting was thrilling -- especially from Harry Brook and Joe Root -- but with the reverses, their method will be questioned.
A 2-2 draw may lack the headline of a trophy lift, but in cricketing terms, this was a huge win for the format. It proved that Test cricket -- when played with intent, imagination, and heart -- is not just alive, but thriving. A drawn series might feel like an unfinished story -- but at The Oval, India wrote a memorable chapter.
