The inaugural Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy reached a tense finale at The Oval, with England leading 2–1 and India needing victory to level the series and share the trophy. A draw or win would hand England the first‑ever trophy outright, while India had no choice but to push for a win to keep the series alive.
India, under new test captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir, had fought back strongly after an early setback in the series. Their young pace attack, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep had shown promise but faced their biggest test yet in the deciding match.
England, missing injured talisman Ben Stokes, continued to rely on their Bazball approach under stand‑in captain Ollie Pope and coach Brendon McCullum. Injuries to Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer meant the hosts depended heavily on Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue to lead the bowling attack in the final Test.
England won the toss and chose to bowl first, hoping the overcast conditions would give them early breakthroughs in this series‑deciding clash.
Match Summary
- Venue: The Oval, London
- Dates: July 31 – August 4, 2025
- Result: India won by 6 runs
- Series Outcome: Drawn 2–2, Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy shared
Match Scorecard & Key Stats – 5th Test, Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy
| Innings | Team | Score | Top Batter(s) | Top Bowler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Ind | 224 all out | Karun Nair 57, Gill 44 | Atkinson 5/33 |
| 1st | Eng | 247 all out | Crawley 64, Root 61 | Krishna 4/62 |
| 2nd | Ind | 396 all out | Y. Jaiswal 118, Sundar 56 | Tongue 5/88 |
| 2nd | Eng | 367 all out | Brook 111, Root 105 | Siraj 5/104, Krishna 3/79 |
Result: India won by 6 runs – their narrowest Test win ever
Series Outcome: 2–2 Draw – Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy shared
Player of the Match: Mohammed Siraj (IND) – 5/104 in 2nd innings
Players of the Series: Shubman Gill (IND) & Harry Brook (ENG)
The storm only rattles those who aren’t ready for it. pic.twitter.com/FQgvyH8dPV
— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) August 4, 2025
Innings Brief
India 1st Innings:
The visitors walked into a grey, seam‑friendly Oval morning with the series on the line. Karun Nair’s composed 57 and Sai Sudarshan’s 38 provided early stability, weathering the initial burst from England’s quicks. But just as India looked set for a larger total, Gus Atkinson produced a dream spell, claiming his maiden five‑wicket haul (5/33) with late movement and relentless accuracy. India were bowled out for 224, a fighting total but one that felt 20–30 runs short of ideal in a series decider.
England 1st Innings:
The hosts began in Bazball fashion, with Zak Crawley blasting 64 off just 57 balls, peppering the off‑side with crisp drives. Momentum briefly swung England’s way before Prasidh Krishna’s subtle seam movement (4/62) and Mohammed Siraj’s short burst of hostility triggered a middle‑order slide. Joe Root’s patient 61 provided structure, but India’s discipline restricted England to 247, a slender 23‑run lead—leaving the match delicately poised after two innings.
India 2nd Innings:
With the trophy on the line, Yashasvi Jaiswal stepped up, crafting a magnificent 118 runs marked by classical drives, patient leaves and bold lofted shots once set with some lucky drops by the English fielders. His 107-run partnership for the third wicket with Akash Deep(66) rebuilt the innings after early jitters, gradually grinding down a weary English attack. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar chipped in with a half-century each (both 53), ensuring India stretched the lead beyond 350. By the time the visitors were all out for 396, they had set a formidable 374‑run target, the highest fourth‑innings chase ever attempted at The Oval.
England 2nd Innings:
The final act was pure Test cricket theatre. Harry Brook’s audacious 111 off 98 balls combined with Joe Root’s elegant 105 for a 195‑run partnership that silenced Indian fans and had the home crowd dreaming of history. At 339/6, England were within touching distance of a famous win. But cricket’s script had one final twist. Mohammed Siraj’s new‑ball burst dismissed Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton in quick succession, while Prasidh Krishna’s deadly yorker removed Josh Tongue. The tension was unbearable as England’s tail tried to inch closer, but Siraj’s final delivery to castle Gus Atkinson ended the drama at 367 all out, handing India a heart‑stopping 6‑run win, their narrowest in Test history.
Key Records & Highlights
- India’s Narrowest Test Victory: 6 runs, breaking the previous 10‑run record
- Highest Fourth‑Innings Target Attempted at The Oval: 374 runs.
- Harry Brook & Joe Root Partnership: 195 runs, almost pulling off a historic chase.
- Shubman Gill: 754 runs, 4 centuries, the most by any Indian in a Test series and the highest ever by an Indian captain, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s 732. His tally is second only to Don Bradman’s 810 for a Test series by a captain.
- Mohammed Siraj: 23 wickets in the series, including the series‑deciding five wickets haul.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Emotional Century: Dedicated to his parents watching from the stands.
- Run‑Fest Series: 7,000+ runs, 21 centuries, 18 century partnerships.
Unforgettable Moments
- Jaiswal’s Family Moment: His ton depicts cricket’s compassion as he celebrated with his parents in the crowd.
- Siraj’s Redemption: After a dropped chance off Brook and the unfortunate wicket in the last innings of the 3rd Test, he returned to seal victory with tears in his eyes.
- Woakes’ Grit: Batted left‑handed with a dislocated shoulder, embodying courage despite certain defeat.
Christopher Roger Woakes ❤️ pic.twitter.com/np2G5JIiJj
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 4, 2025
What’s Next
India:
- West Indies in India – Oct 2025 (2 Tests)
- South Africa in India – Nov 2025 (2 Tests)
- Border‑Gavaskar Trophy in Australia – Jan‑Feb 2027 (5 Tests)
England:
- Ashes 2025‑26 in Australia – Nov 2025 to Jan 2026 (5 Tests)
- New Zealand in England – Jun 2026 (3 Tests)
Both teams eye World Test Championship 2025–27 points, with Lord’s 2027 final as the ultimate target.
The Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy will be shared 2–2, but the emotional resonance of this series will be remembered as a milestone for the WTC 2025–27 cycle, showcasing why Test cricket remains the ultimate stage of skill, drama, and resilience.
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