🏏 India’s Epic Test Series Finale at The Oval

Narrowest Win in History

In a nerve-wracking finish at The Oval, India clinched a historic six-run victory against England—the narrowest win by runs in the country’s Test cricket history. The triumph allowed India to level the five-match Test series 2–2, ending on a thrilling high note.

Mohammed Siraj emerged as the hero, delivering a sensational five-wicket spell in the second innings. He sealed the win with a perfect yorker that bowled Gus Atkinson, wrapping up one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent memory. England had started the final day needing just 35 runs with four wickets in hand, but a stunning collapse saw them lose 7 wickets for 66 runs. Chris Woakes, playing through a dislocated shoulder, bravely tried to support the last pair but couldn’t alter the outcome.

📊 Test Series in Numbers

Series Result: Drawn 2–2 over five matches, continuing the prestigious Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy rivalry.

Runs Scored: Over 7,000 runs across the series, with 21 centuries—equaling a record for the most hundreds in a single series.

Star Performers: Standout centuries came from Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Joe Root, Ravindra Jadeja, and others—ensuring every match went the full distance.

Siraj’s Performance: Took 9 wickets in the final Test alone and finished the series with 23 wickets, matching the tournament lead.

🏆 Test Cricket Reaffirmed

Amid a growing tilt toward white-ball cricket, this Test series reminded the world why the traditional format still holds magic. Every game stretched into the fifth day, stadiums remained packed, and the momentum shifted constantly—keeping fans on the edge of their seats. England captain Ben Stokes praised the series as proof that Test cricket remains as captivating as ever.

🌍 India’s Rise in World Test Championship Standings

India’s WTC Rank: With the Oval win, India gained 12 valuable points, moving to third place in the World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.

Current Points: 28 points with a Points Percentage (PCT) of 46.67%.

England’s Slide: Dropped to fourth place with 26 points and a 43.33% PCT, affected by a two-point penalty for slow over-rate in the Lord’s Test.

Top Teams: Australia leads the table with 100% PCT, followed by Sri Lanka.

📈 WTC 2025–27 Points Table Snapshot

✅ In Summary

India’s win at The Oval was historic—marked by the narrowest margin by runs in its Test history.

Mohammed Siraj’s fiery spell was the turning point, securing a stunning series-leveling victory.

The five-match series has been hailed as one of the greatest in modern Test cricket.

Strategically, India’s comeback has given them a strong boost in the World Test Championship race, while England faces pressure to recover.