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India beat England in Oval thriller to level five-Test series
Mohammad Siraj was the hero as India beat England by six runs in a nail-biting thriller on the final day of the fifth Test at Oval to level the five-Test series 2-2
- PUBLISHED: Mon 4 Aug 2025, 3:01 PM UPDATED: Mon 4 Aug 2025, 3:20 PM
In what was one of the greatest Test matches of all time, India held their nerve to complete a stunning six-run win over England on fifth morning of the fifth and final Test against hosts England at the Oval on Monday.
England, resuming on the overnight score of 339-6 while chasing 374 for victory, were all out for 367 when the lionhearted Mohammed Siraj bowled Gus Atkinson for 17.
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Atkinson became Siraj’s fifth victim as the Indian pacer finished with nine wickets in the match, having taken four in the first innings.
In the absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj rose to the challenge helping India secure an unforgettable victory as the five-Test series ended in a 2-2 draw.
Chasing 374, England were in all sorts of trouble on Sunday after India reduced them to 106 for three.
But a magnificent 195-run fourth wicket partnership between Joe Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) raised the English hopes of achieving the highest fourth innings chase in history at the Oval.
But India fought back with three late wickets on the fourth evening.
And on the final day, with England needing 35 runs for victory, both teams fought tooth and nail as Chris Woakes, who suffered a shoulder injury earlier in the match, had to come out to bat after the fall of the ninth wicket.
Atkinson kept shielding Woakes while looking for runs, and almost took England to the brink of an improbable win.
But Siraj produced a scorching length ball to rattle Atkinson’s stumps, sparking wild celebrations on the field and among the Indian fans in the stands.
Siraj was wonderfully supported by Prasidh Krishna who took four wickets, finishing the match with eight.
Rituraj Borkakoty is Sports Editor and has spent more than two decades writing on his sporting heroes. He also loves an underdog story, so if you have one, share it with him. He would love to bring it to life.