If the phrase “Test cricket is dying” was ever uttered again after this, we kindly point them to the final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025: India vs England. In a match that felt more like a thriller directed by Christopher Nolan, India edged out England by just six runs at The Oval — the kind of finale that even scriptwriters would call too far-fetched.
From Shubman Gill’s zen-like captaincy to Mohammed Siraj’s lion-hearted bowling, this match was Test cricket’s mic-drop moment.
Siraj: The Last Man Standing and the First Name in the Highlights
Fast bowlers are said to fade late in series. Mohammed Siraj? He was still sprinting on Day 5 like it was Day 1 — literally.
- Match figures: 9 wickets, final blow to seal the win
- 1122 deliveries bowled across the series
- Still had energy left to leap into Prasidh Krishna’s arms after the win
Siraj didn’t just bowl; he believed. From the morning huddle to breaking England’s last resistance with a 143kph laser-guided yorker, his performance screamed, “Not today, England.”
Shubman Gill’s Leadership: Calm as a Monk, Sharp as a Katana
In just his first major Test series as captain, Shubman Gill showed that calm heads win wild games.
“This morning kind of summarized what this team is all about,” he said after the match, referring to England needing just 70 runs with 7 wickets in hand.
Gill didn’t take the second new ball. Instead, he trusted Siraj and Prasidh Krishna to finish the job — a masterstroke in captaincy that aged like fine wine (or Old Monk, depending on your allegiance).
England’s Collapse: From Stokes Hopes to Siraj Nightmares
Let’s give credit where it’s due — England weren’t passengers in this saga. They needed 374. They reached 367. That’s seven runs short of a summer headline.
- Harry Brook and Joe Root took them to the brink
- But under overcast skies, Indian bowlers found an opening and bulldozed through
Atkinson’s gutsy resistance, Overton’s cameo, and Jamie Smith’s edge-of-seat drama made the final morning unforgettable. But as Shubman said — “It’s a one-ball game.”
Series Impact: From 1-2 Down to 2-2 Glory
India came into the Test without Bumrah, Pant, or a working calculator for Duckworth-Lewis. But what they had was belief. Belief in youth, in pressure, and in chaos.
- Player of the Match: Mohammed Siraj
- Players of the Series: Shubman Gill & Harry Brook
The draw means the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy remains evenly shared, but make no mistake — India won the moment.
188BET Odds Recap: What Did the Bookies Say?
At the start of Day 5, 188BET odds had England at 1.35 to win, with India drifting to a desperate 5.50. After Brook’s dismissal? The pendulum swung wildly.
By the final wicket:
- Live odds had India at 2.10
- England at 2.20
- Draw at 20.0, which is exactly where their hopes landed — out of bounds
Lesson for punters: Never bet against Siraj when he’s got reverse swing in cloudy London.
FAQs
India: 224 & 396
England: 247 & 367
India won by 6 runs.
Mohammed Siraj was awarded Player of the Match for his crucial nine-wicket haul and the series-clinching final wicket.
It ended in a dramatic 6-run win, featured brilliant captaincy, pressure bowling, and a gripping final session that swung like a pendulum. It’s being hailed as one of the greatest Test matches of the decade.
England were favorites at 1.35, but Siraj’s spell turned everything around. India went from underdogs to champions in a single session.
Shubman Gill led the Indian side and was named joint Player of the Series for his tactical brilliance and composed leadership.
Yes. The draw levels the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2 and gives India a significant boost in World Test Championship points.
Conclusion: A Classic Test with a Classic Ending
The India vs England Oval showdown was pure cricketing cinema — suspense, character arcs, plot twists, and a climax that brought the house down. If you ever doubt the future of Test cricket, replay the last 45 minutes of this match.
Siraj gave us wickets. Gill gave us poise. And Test cricket gave us goosebumps.
📣 What was your favorite moment from this match? Drop a comment below or read more cricket recaps [here].
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