Match Situation at Start of Day 5
Oval Classic Epic Ends With 6 Run India Win England resumed on 4 August with a target of 374 runs to win, having posted 301/3 overnight. With four wickets in hand and needing only 35 runs, they appeared poised for a memorable chase
Chris Woakes despite a dislocated shoulder came out to bat with his arm in a sling, demonstrating extraordinary grit and determination
Morning Session: England’s Collapse
Oval Classic Epic Ends With 6 Run India Win
England’s chase began positively with strong partnerships, including centuries from Harry Brook (111) and Joe Root (105), pushing the score to 301/3. However, it proved to be a false dawn
In quick succession, India struck back:
- Prasidh Krishna dismissed Josh Tongue with a pinpoint yorker for a duck ﹘ part of his four-wicket contribution across both innings
- Mohammed Siraj, emerging as the match hero, took key wickets including Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, and ultimately Gus Atkinson with a spectacular yorker that sealed India’s six-run win
England collapsed from 301/3 to 367 all out, losing the last seven for just 66 runs, in barely an hour as the pressure mounted on them
Siraj’s Heroics
Oval Classic Epic Ends With 6 Run India Win
Mohammed Siraj claimed a five‑wicket haul on the day (match figures 5 for 104), with a blistering opening spell: 3 wickets for just 9 runs in the final morning session that swung the momentum in India’s favor
He finished the match as Player of the Match, and his performance under pressure became the stuff of legend. His yorker to bowl Gus Atkinson with the final ball was hailed as the defining moment of the series
Series Context & Highlights
Oval Classic Epic Ends With 6 Run India Win
This forfeit saw India level the series 2–2, after a fiercely competitive battle:
- England won at Leeds (Test 1) and Lord’s (Test 3).
- India bounced back with wins at Edgbaston (Test 2) and The Oval (Test 5).
- The Old Trafford Test (4th) ended in a draw
The fourth Test’s match‑saving batting, particularly from India, set up the drama perfectly, leading to this epic finale.
Key Performers & Stats
England
- Harry Brook: 111 (98 balls) – brave but costly. A cameo century that ultimately couldn’t win the day
- Joe Root: 105 – anchored the chase before wickets tumbled
- Chris Woakes: Batted with shoulder in a sling his courage praised despite limited runs
India
- Mohammed Siraj: 5 wickets in final innings; match‑winning spells; Player of the Match
- Prasidh Krishna: Crucial breakthroughs, including Tongue’s wicket
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: Century in India’s second innings (118) to set up a mammoth 396 total, giving India a fighting target
- Karun Nair: Half‑century in India’s first innings (57) helped post 224 and sustain fight-back
Turning Point: Late Breakthroughs
Oval Classic Epic Ends With 6 Run India Win
England seemed assured of victory overnight, but Siraj and Krishna’s strike power in the morning shifted the game irreversibly. By the time Atkinson tried to blast a match-winning six, Siraj’s killer yorker shattered hopes and handed India their narrowest-ever Test win by runs
Post‑Match Reactions & Legacy
Oval Classic Epic Ends With 6 Run India Win
- England coach Brendon McCullum called it the “best five‑match Test series I’ve ever been a part of”
- Indian captain Shubman Gill praised his bowlers’ belief and intensity, noting the spirit and resilience seen from day one
- Cricket legends such as Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly celebrated the narrow win and the ability of the team to deliver under pressure
The match is now widely regarded as one of Test cricket’s greatest finishes and underscores India’s mental toughness—especially in away conditions.
Summary of Day 5
Oval Classic Epic Ends With 6 Run India Win
| Feature | Details |
| Target | England needed 374 to win |
| England’s start | 301/3 with wickets in hand |
| Collapse | Lost last 7 wickets for 66 runs in under an hour |
| India’s heroes | Siraj and Krishna – key wickets |
| Result | India won by 6 runs |
| Series Outcome | Tied 2–2 |
| Historical note | India’s narrowest Test win by runs in history |
Final Thoughts
Oval Classic Epic Ends With 6 Run India Win Day 5 of the 5th Test at The Oval delivered a staggering finish: England seemed destined for victory late on Day 4, but India’s bowlers with Siraj’s fiery spell and Krishna’s precision—staged a stunning comeback. When Siraj uprooted Atkinson with the final ball, India had etched their name into Test folklore.
This win not only tied the series but also showcased the drama, unpredictability, and raw emotion that define Test cricket. India’s resilience, coupled with England’s courageous fight especially Woakes’s injured cameo made it a fitting finale to a fiercely matched series.
The 2‑2 draw means both teams head into the next phase with pride and momentum India for their unbreakable will, and England for their fighting spirit despite heartbreak.