India vs England 5th Test: How India Pulled off a Historic 6‑Run Thriller at The Oval

India vs England 5th Test: Setting the Stage for an Unthinkable Comeback

The India vs England 5th Test at The Oval was always going to be a battle of nerve. England began strong, building momentum with a formidable 301/3 on the board.
Joe Root’s classy 105 and Harry Brook’s explosive 111 had India cornered. Meanwhile, India stumbled to 224 all out in their first innings. Most spectators thought the match was already lost.

But one man stood firm in the storm — Mohammed Siraj. Still haunted by his emotional breakdown at Lord’s weeks earlier, Siraj made a silent vow: “I will change the game.”
What followed was a cinematic, emotional, and gritty turnaround that defied every cricketing prediction.

Day 2 Turnaround — Siraj and Prasidh Ignite India’s Fightback

England came out firing early on Day 2, stretching their lead and threatening to post a massive total. Then came Siraj’s game-shifting spell. Bowling with sheer venom and surgical accuracy, he ripped through England’s top order — removing Ollie Pope, Root, Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell with searing inswingers. Prasidh Krishna backed him up skillfully, delivering key breakthroughs to keep England in check. Their combined effort turned the tide, setting India’s revival in motion.

Bowling eight consecutive overs after lunch, Siraj reignited Indian belief and pulled the game back from the brink. The session tilted entirely in India’s favor.
Suddenly, the chase didn’t seem so far-fetched.

Day 4 Chaos — Brook & Root Shine, Then Prasidh Crashes the Party

On a rain-shortened Day 4, England resumed at 339/6, needing just 35 more runs. With Joe Root and Harry Brook at the crease, seemingly unshakeable — the latter having played a breathtaking 111 off 98 balls — England looked set to seal the match and the series.

But then, the tide turned.

First came Akashdeep, breaking through with the crucial wicket of Brook, ending a counter-attacking innings that had kept India under pressure. The breakthrough gave India a flicker of hope.

Enter Prasidh Krishna.

With clinical precision, he dismissed Joe Root — England’s rock — slicing through England’s confidence. The collapse that followed was nothing short of astonishing.
From 339/6, England folded for 367. India needed magic to defend the slimmest of margins. Siraj’s reverse swing and toe-crushing yorkers delivered just that.

Final Day – Siraj’s 5-for Scripts India’s Narrowest Test Win

Day 5 opened with England needing just 35 runs, but they ran into a wall named Mohammed Siraj.

He claimed five wickets, with the final blow being an unforgettable yorker to bowl Gus Atkinson. As stumps flew and the Oval erupted, India had pulled off a six-run win — their narrowest victory in Test history.

Siraj finished with 5/104, tallying 23 wickets in the series, and was rightly crowned the hero of the day. His raw emotion, screaming with arms outstretched in the London evening light, will live long in cricket memory.

Woakes’ Courage and Gill’s Captaincy Win Respect

Though England’s Chris Woakes had dislocated his shoulder diving in the field earlier, he walked out to bat during the final moments. Arm in a sling, he stood at the non-striker’s end — ready to run, to fight, to hope. He didn’t face a single delivery, but his bravery won universal respect.

On the other side, Shubman Gill, India’s young captain, held the team together like a seasoned veteran. Leading by example with 754 runs in the series, his composure and quiet tactical brilliance were vital. He earned Player of the Series and sealed his name among India’s modern leaders.

Redemption Story — Siraj’s Journey from Tears to Triumph

Only weeks before, Siraj had collapsed in tears at Lord’s, his dismissal costing India a narrow defeat but no one doubted his talent.

But Siraj didn’t break — he evolved. At The Oval, he used that heartbreak as fuel.

At The Oval, every over he bowled screamed redemption. Every wicket was an answer. Every fist-pump a declaration: he was no longer just a squad player. He was the man who could win you a Test match single-handedly.

What This Thriller Means for Indian Cricket and the Future

While the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy was shared with the series ending 2–2, the emotional impact of India’s win stretches far beyond numbers. It showcased India’s bench strength, bowling depth, and fearless belief.

Siraj joined the ranks of Kapil Dev and Vinoo Mankad, becoming the third Indian pacer to claim 10+ wickets in three overseas series. His rise symbolized a new era of Indian cricket — hungry, hard-nosed, and humble.

England, meanwhile, were left to reflect on lost momentum and brittle middle-order collapses under pressure.

Your Turn – What Was Your Favorite Moment?

Was it Siraj’s fiery yorker? Gill’s unflinching poise? Or Woakes’ selfless courage?

Let us know in the comments what gave you goosebumps in this India vs England 5th Test thriller at The Oval!

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➡️ Full Day 5 match report from The Guardian

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