On this day in 2025, India dragged themselves over the line at The Oval and levelled the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2 after beating England by six runs in a thrilling match. England needed 374 in the fourth innings and got bowled out for 367. It was a brilliant Test from both sides. India posted 224 in the first innings before bowling England out for 247, conceding a slender 23-run lead. The visitors then responded superbly in the second innings, piling up 350 to set England a daunting target of 374. It was never going to be straightforward, but nobody expected the chase to go right down to the final wicket.
England started the last day fancying their chances on a decent batting surface. For a while, it looked like they might just pull it off. Partnerships kept forming, India kept finding a way to break them. Every time the home side seemed to settle, another wicket went down. It was that kind of day.
Mohammed Siraj was the one who simply wouldn't stop running in. He bowled with relentless intensity, getting just enough movement to trouble England's batters. Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep backed him up brilliantly, while Ravindra Jadeja did the usual Jadeja thing from the other end, tight lines, relentless accuracy and no easy scoring opportunities.
Jamie Smith and Overton were dismissed as Prasidh Krishna bowled brilliantly in the morning session. Chris Woakes walked out despite carrying a painful shoulder injury, the tension only increased. The Oval crowd sensed something special. England were down to their last wicket, the target was within touching distance, and suddenly an unlikely victory looked possible.
But India found one final breakthrough. Siraj returned and removed Gus Atkinson to bowl England out for 367, sealing a dramatic six-run victory. The Indian players erupted in celebration. After five fiercely contested Tests, the series had come down to a single wicket and just six runs.
India walked away with a share of the series, while The Oval witnessed a finish that will be remembered for years to come. All the five matches of the series went to Day 5 and it was an epic series which ended up 2-2 with both sides sharing the Honours.
