India stun England in dramatic finale to level series as Chris Woakes takes field with dislocated shoulder - 'One of the all-time best matches'
Updated 06/08/2025 at 11:01 GMT+1
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A memorable series between England and India came to a fitting conclusion with a classic at The Oval. India took a narrow victory on a tense, dramatic final day to level the series at 2-2 and deny England, who came agonisingly close to completing a momentous run chase. Head coach Brendon McCullum described the Test as "one of the best all-time matches".
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England head coach Brendon McCullum labelled his side's remarkable final Test against India as "one of the best all-time matches".
India won by six runs after bowling England out for 367 in an incredible morning session on day five.
It meant the series finished level at 2-2, despite the best efforts of the injured Chris Woakes, who came out to bat at No. 11 with his left arm in a sling.
"Right throughout this Test match it has been one of the all-time best Test matches," McCullum told Test Match Special.
"We turned up today with high hopes, but Mohammed Siraj and the passion of the Indian boys was too strong and ultimately they deserve to win this Test match.
"We had our chances, we will look back on our dropped catches and the position we were in with the bat. You have to tip your caps sometimes, a guy playing in his fifth Test match bowling 30 overs, and 90mph to get the job done - fair play.
"You never expect things to go according to plan.
"I thought we put ourselves in a position with some wonderful bravery from Harry Brook and Joe Root. We were confident we could chase this down on a wicket which was getting better.
"We are disappointed, but at the same time we have had a hell of a series. Both teams have been part of the most memorable series that I can remember."
England began Monday's play needing 35 runs to win with four wickets remaining, after superb centuries from both Joe Root and Harry Brook laid the foundations on day four.
Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton were at the crease, and the latter started with two boundaries to immediately reduce the required total.
At that point, England were clear favourites, but they soon lost Smith, who edged a delivery from the brilliant Mohammed Siraj and watched Dhruv Jurel take the catch.
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Overton was next to go, trapped LBW by Siraj. The momentum had swung India's way, and Josh Tongue was soon bowled by Prasidh Krishna with just two more runs added.
Woakes bravely came to the crease with only his right arm of use, but he did not face a ball. It was Gus Atkinson who took the fight to India, and his 17 runs took England to within one shot of victory.
But it was not to be, as Siraj beat Atkinson with a perfectly-executed yorker and sparked jubilant celebrations from the Indian players and fans.
"It means so much," India captain Shubman Gill said. "This was a very hard-fought series. Both teams throwing punches and you could never really predict after day four who was going to win the match.
"We are a young team but before the start of the series, we spoke about how we didn't want to be looked at as a young team. We wanted to be a gun team and I think we showed that today.
"Nothing beats it [Test cricket]. It's the most rewarding format. You work so hard over five days and even before the Test starts, there's so many mental and physical challenges in this format.
"Once you're able to succeed, it's the most satisfying and rewarding format."
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