The result means the sides have drawn the series 2-2.
England fell just short of a record-breaking run chase as India secured a six-run victory in one of Test cricket’s most dramatic finishes.
Chris Woakes, with his arm in a sling, walked out to bat alongside Gus Atkinson as England chased 374 for victory. They needed 17 runs when he arrived.
Woakes received a hero’s welcome and stood at the non-striker’s end while Atkinson tried to pull off the impossible.
The tension at The Oval was electric. Indian supporters dominated the noise as the home crowd held its breath.
Atkinson smashed Mohammed Siraj for six, then Woakes ran a bye after Dhruv Jurel missed the stumps, allowing Atkinson to retain the strike.
India kept the field deep. Prasidh Krishna bowled the next over. Woakes scampered a two and a single to hand back the strike.
But Siraj struck with a perfect yorker, bowling Atkinson to seal India’s narrowest-ever Test win by runs.
The result means the sides have drawn the series 2-2.
India paused their celebrations to console Woakes before completing a lap of honour.
England’s chase had started August 4 on 339-6, 35 short of their target.
Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton resumed under pressure after being tested the previous day before rain ended play. Overton gave England hope, pulling Krishna for four and edging another past his stumps.
Then the momentum shifted again. Smith edged Siraj to Jurel after two near-misses. Atkinson’s first ball fell inches short of KL Rahul at slip as India’s fans roared.
Siraj then trapped Overton lbw after umpire Kumar Dharmasena’s delayed finger raised drama further.
Josh Tongue survived a review before Krishna bowled him, leaving Woakes to make his brave walk.
Atkinson briefly reignited hopes with another towering hit off Siraj, parried for six by Akash Deep. England needed 11.
Woakes, clearly in pain, scrambled a bye. Atkinson dug out Krishna for two, then England stole another single.
With seven required, Siraj returned and produced the match-winning delivery, finishing with 5-104.
India’s win came despite missing Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Captain Shubman Gill was prolific with the bat, signalling the rise of a new-look side.
England’s patched-up attack reflected a punishing series. Woakes dislocated his shoulder, Shoaib Bashir bowled with a broken finger, and Stokes was unavailable.
India also endured injuries, with Pant batting on a broken foot.
It marks England’s failure to win a first home series against India since 2018 and leaves questions ahead of the Ashes in Australia starting November 21, 2025.
Woakes is now a major fitness doubt, with Ben Stokes and Mark Wood also under assessment. England’s upcoming white-ball games against South Africa, Ireland, and New Zealand will feel tame compared to this epic.
Loading ...