Editor’s Note
This article recounts India’s dramatic six-run victory over England at The Oval, which leveled the 2025 Test series at 2-2. The report details the seesaw nature of the entire contest, setting the stage for a decisive final match.
India defeated England by 6 runs in a thrilling Test match played at the Kennington Oval in London on August 4, 2025. With this victory, India leveled the five-Test series 2-2. England had won the first Test of the series by 5 wickets. India won the second Test by a massive margin of 336 runs. England defeated India by 22 runs in the third Test. The fourth Test match ended in a draw.
Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, 2025
England: 247 (51.2) & 367 (85.1)
India: 224 (69.4) & 396 (88.0)
Result: India beat England by 6 runs (Match Ended – Day 5 – 5th Test)
On the fourth day of the India vs England 5th Test, only 62.3 overs were possible due to rain and poor light. At the end of the fourth day’s play, England’s second innings score was 339/6 in 76.2 overs, needing 35 more runs to win. India needed 4 wickets to win the match and level the series. Ultimately, in the race between 35 runs and 4 wickets, India clinched the victory.
The thrilling series ended in a fascinating manner. Until the final stages of the fourth day’s play, the match seemed completely in England’s control. However, the wickets of Jamie Overton and Jamie Smith on the fifth day changed the course of the match, and India snatched victory from England’s jaws. Siraj dismissed Smith in his first over of the day. In the next over, he trapped Jamie Overton LBW.
Prasidh Krishna also sent Josh Tongue back to the pavilion. Gus Atkinson tried to hit big shots to get England over the line quickly, but Mohammad Siraj bowled Gus Atkinson on the first ball of the 86th over to seal the win for India. Mohammad Siraj was named Player of the Match. Harry Brook was named Player of the Series.
The match report cannot be complete without mentioning the courage of England’s Chris Woakes. He took the field with a shoulder injury. He was ready to bat not only with his other hand but also with just one hand.
This is India’s second consecutive Test win at The Oval in the Test format. Previously, they had defeated England by 157 runs in September 2021. India has played 15 Test matches at this ground so far, winning 3 of them.
16:34 (IST) 4 Aug 2025
India snatched victory from England’s jaws. Mohammad Siraj took 5 wickets for 104 runs in 30.1 overs. Prasidh Krishna took 4 wickets for 126 runs in 27 overs. England needed 35 runs to win on the final day, with 4 wickets remaining. England was heading towards victory. Jamie Overton made his intentions clear by hitting consecutive fours off the first two balls of the day, but Siraj and Prasidh Krishna stood in England’s way. Siraj first sent Jamie Smith and then Jamie Overton back to the pavilion. Before Josh Tongue could open his account, Prasidh Krishna bowled him. Then, the injured Chris Woakes entered the field. He showed spirit. Gus Atkinson took responsibility. Atkinson hit a six to create excitement in the match. However, when only 7 runs were needed for victory, he was bowled on the first ball of the 86th over. With this, India won the match by 6 runs and leveled the series 2-2.
16:15 (IST) 4 Aug 2025
Siraj came to bowl the 84th over. Gus Atkinson hit a six off his second ball. England now needed 11 runs to win and India needed one wicket. The match was at a thrilling juncture.
16:12 (IST) 4 Aug 2025
This time Prasidh Krishna made no mistake. Prasidh Krishna came to bowl the 83rd over. He bowled Josh Tongue on the last ball. Josh Tongue returned to the pavilion without opening his account. Now India needed just one wicket. The injured Chris Woakes came to the field to bat. He will bat with one hand. He is a right-handed batsman, but will now bat left-handed because his right hand is injured.
16:05 (IST) 4 Aug 2025
Prasidh Krishna came to bowl the 81st over. On his fourth ball, the umpire gave Josh Tongue out LBW. Josh Tongue took a review. The decision in the review went in favor of the England batsman. Prasidh Krishna’s ball was an incoming length ball. Strong impact above the knee. Replay showed the ball going down the leg side and also a bit high.
15:53 (IST) 4 Aug 2025
The India vs England 5th Test has reached a thrilling juncture. Mohammad Siraj trapped Jamie Overton LBW on the fifth ball of the 80th over. This was a full-length delivery from Mohammad Siraj. Overton shuffled inside. The ball hit the pad because the bat was not in line with the ball. The umpire gave out. Jamie Overton took a review, but the decision stood. Jamie Overton returned to the pavilion after scoring 9 runs off 17 balls. India now needed just 2 wickets and England needed 20 runs. England’s score: 354/8 (80)
15:43 (IST) 4 Aug 2025
Siraj’s third ball was a slightly short ball outside off stump, which went wobbling away. Jamie Smith advanced to the ball and tried to push it away, but the ball took an edge and went into the wicketkeeper’s hands. Dhruv Jurel dived to his right to complete the catch. Jamie Smith was out after scoring 2 runs off 20 balls. Gus Atkinson came to bat in his place. He was completely beaten on the fourth ball. Siraj’s ball was of short length. It was slightly outside off stump. The ball took the edge of Atkinson’s bat. It went to KL Rahul at second slip. He tried to grab the catch, but it was difficult.
15:39 (IST) 4 Aug 2025
Siraj sent Jamie Smith back to the pavilion.