Test cricket is the ultimate form of the game which gives up a good glimpse of all the skills. The red ball cricket is hardest and the most challenging format and is loved by fans all over the world. The pendulum swing across the duration of Test matches can never be seen in other formats. 2025 was a year where plenty of Test cricket was played and in this article we look at some of the Best Test Matches of 2025.
1. India vs England, 5th Test Oval
India were batting first and all they could manage was 224 before getting bowled out. In reply, England scored 247 in the second innings taking a small lead. India played really well in the third innings as they scored 396 and set England a target of 374. India were on top but sublime centuries from Harry Brook and Joe Root looked to have England coasting to their target, only for India’s outstanding pacers to deliver a grandstand finale.
Scenes of incredible tension and in a raucous atmosphere at The Oval, England reached 339-6 in pursuit of a record-breaking 374 when the weather wiped out the final hour’s play. Chasing a massive 374, it was England’s game to lose until the final day, with 35 requiring and four wickets on the Final day.
Siraj and Prasidh Krishna came out all guns firing on Day 5 as they bowled out England. India secured a nerve-jangling, six-run victory over England in a staggering finish at The Kia Oval which included Chris Woakes heading out to bat with his arm in a sling. It was by far the best match of 2025. It seemed after 25 days of riveting action, the best was saved for the last as India came from behind to pull off a six-run win against England in the fifth Test and draw the series 2-2
2. England vs India 3rd Test, Lords
This was another classic Test match where England put up 387 runs batting first and India surprisingly also got bowled out for 387 in the second innings. It was basically a one innings shoot out for the rest of the match. England were bundled for 192 in the third innings and set a target of 193 for India. It started badly for India as they lost Jaiswal early, then Karun and Rahul played a few good shots before a late in the day burst left India four down.
Resuming Day 5 on 58/4, India needed 135 runs to win with six wickets in hand. England’s pace attack came out firing, reducing India to 112/8 by lunch. But Jadeja held firm, scoring a magnificent 61* off 181 deliveries. He batted with calm, composure, and grit, nearly pulling off the improbable alongside the lower order.
With India needing 23 runs to win with the last wicket in hand, Bashir dismissed Siraj in remarkable fashion to secure victory. Archer and Stokes inspire England with three wickets each as England seal 22-run win on staggering final day. It was heart break for India and Joy for England.
3. South Africa vs Australia, WTC Final, Lords
A low-scoring World Test Championship final was heading to a thrilling conclusion. South Africa bowled first and Kagiso Rabada took 5-51 to help restrict the Australians to 212 all out on Day 1. In the second innings, Pat Cummins, who took 6-28 to get to 300 wickets in his test career and dismiss the South Africa for just 138. Australia took a huge lead of 74 but South Africa bounced back picking up eight wickets quickly at the end of the day.
The Aussies resumed on 144-8 with a 218-run lead overnight and modest ambitions of adding 20 to 30 runs more in the morning. However, an unbeaten 58 from Mitchell Starc saw them bat for two hours until lunch to the frustration of South Africa before eventually being dismissed for 207 in the third innings.
South Africa were set a target of 282 to win in the final innings. Aiden Markram led from the front scoring a tremendous 136 and forming a partnership with captain Temba Bavuma who scored 66 to help South Africa chase down the target as they won by 6 wickets. The Proteas achieved their first major cricket title in 27 years, sparking celebrations at Lord’s.
