England’s last‑gasp chase came within touching distance thanks to Atkinson and Woakes heroics, but India ultimately held firm to snatch a six‑run win at The Oval, drawing the series 2–2. It was a Test match to remember, not least because Chris Woakes, shoulder in a sling, came out to bat at the non‑striker’s end to support Gus Atkinson in pursuit of an improbable total of 374. The moment Woakes shuffled a bye off the final delivery, handing strike back to Atkinson before he was bowled by Mohammed Siraj, will live long in the memory.
India’s nerveless bowling – led by a match‑winning five for Tongue, and Siraj’s precise yorker to guide him to figures of 5‑104, proved decisive, underlining the significance of those Atkinson and Woakes heroics in moments when England looked done. Atkinson, faced with running between the wickets in front of a roaring Indian crowd, battled with both intent and nerves until Siraj’s final delivery ended his innings and sealed the result.
Throughout the final day, England flirted with history. Crawley’s earlier resistance and Root’s century underscored their resolve, but it was the partnership of spirit, if not scoring runs, that truly stood out. Woakes’s bravery, coming to bat despite injury, combined with Atkinson’s composed strike farming, demonstrated the team’s heart, even though India’s bowlers held their nerve.
Series‑wide, this is one of the most gripping encounters England have witnessed at their home grounds since Headingley in 2019. With England missing key players like Stokes and Bashir, this final match will be seen as India’s crowning moment on English soil, and India’s lap of honour echoed across the stadium with pride and intensity.
If you’d like a broader perspective on how this Test compares with other iconic matches, take a look at our piece on the 2019 Headingley chase and its legacy. For details on the statistical breakdown of this final Test, refer to the official ICC scorecard site for verified figures and commentary.
For Londoners who weren’t at The Oval but watched from home or the pub, this match had you watching every ball, shouting at the TV, gripping your seat. Thanks to the Atkinson and Woakes heroics, England came within arm’s reach of victory before India’s composure edged them across the line.
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