India Snatch Thrilling Victory at The Oval, Level Series 2-2 After Siraj’s Fiery Spell

The Oval, London-In one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent Test cricket history, India pulled off a sensational six-run win against England at The Oval to draw the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series 2-2. The result came in a nail-biting finale, where Mohammed Siraj’s five-wicket haul ripped through England’s lower order and turned the tide in India’s favour on Day 5.

England, needing just 35 runs to chase down a daunting 374-run target on the final day, started with two overnight batters — Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton — at the crease. Despite early hopes, Siraj broke through quickly, removing both in his opening overs. He first dismissed Smith, who edged a wide delivery, and then trapped Overton LBW in a tense moment that required a careful decision from umpire Kumar Dharmasena.

Even as Chris Woakes, sidelined with a shoulder injury, attempted a heroic one-handed stand towards the end, it wasn’t enough. England were bowled out for 367, just seven runs short of history. Siraj sealed the victory by claiming the final wicket — Gus Atkinson — and celebrated with teammates in front of a stunned home crowd.

The win was a testament to India’s resilience after conceding a commanding fourth-wicket partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook. The duo had stitched a magnificent 195-run stand on Day 4, with Brook smashing a 98-ball 111 and Root anchoring with a composed century. England looked on course for the highest-ever successful fourth-innings chase at The Oval, eclipsing the 263-run benchmark set back in 1902.

But India’s bowlers had other plans.

Earlier in the match, India set the tone with a formidable second-innings total of 396, thanks to a brilliant 118 by Yashasvi Jaiswal and a quickfire 53 from Washington Sundar. That left England needing 374 to win — a daunting task, given the pitch deterioration and mounting pressure.

On Day 4, Siraj and Prasidh Krishna began tightening the noose. Siraj, who had been relentless throughout the series, troubled England batters with his sharp movement and bounce. He dismissed Duckett, Pope, and eventually cleaned up the tail with precision. Krishna, meanwhile, removed the dangerous Root and Josh Tongue in quick succession.

The final twist came when Jacob Bethell, in for the injured Ben Stokes, played a loose shot to lose his wicket immediately after Tea on Day 4. Root’s dismissal soon followed, and with just 33 runs left, the momentum had swung back in India’s favour.

Rain briefly interrupted proceedings late on Day 4, offering England a glimmer of hope, but on the final day, India completed the job with nerves of steel.

Siraj’s tenacity and Krishna’s pinpoint yorkers ensured India didn’t just avoid a 1-3 series defeat — they ended it on equal footing, denying England a historic win and sending a strong message about their fighting spirit.

The Oval Test will go down as one of the classics, not just for the tight finish but for the sheer drama, emotional highs, and tactical brilliance that unfolded over five intense days.