The final Test match on day 5 was a nail-biting thriller. England needed 35 runs to win the final Test and win the series. India needed four wickets. In the end, India’s perseverance paid off as Mohammed Siraj bowled his heart out for his team.
Siraj took three out of the final four wickets to fall, including the final wicket of Gus Atkinson, as India managed to draw the Test series. The Men in Blue were nowhere in the contest when Joe Root and Harry Brook had that stand of 195 runs.
However, late strikes of Root and Jacob Bethell gave India the belief. In hindsight, the game moving into the final day played into India’s hands. England were clearly frustrated as some rain in the final hour on day 4 forced the game to go into day 5.
Also Read: England vs India: Coach Gautam Gambhir Secures Notable 2-2 Series Draw in England - Report Card
Watch - Gautam Gambhir's Emotional Celebrations After Oval Test Win
Meanwhile, India got the opportunity to take some time out of the game. Their bowlers got adequate rest and the next morning came with renewed vigour and zeal. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna got the job done for India and won the Test match and levelled the series. In the process, India have now moved ahead of England in the WTC 2025-27 points table.
BCCI’s official Twitter handle shared a montage of the final moments of India’s win in the fifth Test at The Oval. The video captured the details of the Indian support staff from the dressing room. It also beautifully captured how they sprung up in joy led by their head coach Gautam Gambhir who hugged Morne Morkel and the other support staff once the last wicket fell.
Gambhir also took his official Twitter handle to praise the Indian team. After losses to New Zealand and Australia as head coach, this is his first major achievement as head coach as the team pulled a draw against England.
"We’ll win some, we’ll lose some. But we’ll NEVER surrender. Well done, boys!" Gambhir posted on X.
Also Read: Shubman Gill Overtakes Sunil Gavaskar, Don Bradman’s Record Still Safe
Asia Cup Up Next For Gautam Gambhir And Team India
Gambhir will now head to the Asia Cup 2025 as head coach with the tournament scheduled to be played in the UAE from September 9 to 28. India are placed alongside Pakistan, Oman and UAE in Group A.
Also Read: Mohammed Siraj Overtakes Kapil Dev, Powers India to Historic Oval Win
