India achieved a thrilling six-run victory on the last day at The Oval to tie the series 2-2 and share the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at the conclusion of the thrilling five-match series.
England started the last day needing just 35 runs with four wickets remaining, despite being tasked with chasing 374 for win. By Day 4, Joe Root and Harry Brook had already hit hundreds, and England were at 339/6 by stumps. However, there was some drama on the sixth morning. India recovered admirably under the leadership of Mohammed Siraj and the bowling of Prasidh Krishna. Siraj concluded with a five-for, which included Gus Atkinson’s game-winning wicket.
Josh Tongue was bowled earlier in the day, and England lost the wickets of Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton. Chris Woakes was carrying his left arm in a sling when he entered, suffering from a dislocated shoulder. Despite facing no deliveries, the all-rounder gifted Atkinson the strike by running fearlessly between the wickets.
To get the target down to single digits, Atkinson, in the meantime, hit a six. But with one wicket remaining and seven runs required. Siraj uprooted the off stump and clean bowled Atkinson, putting the finishing nail in the coffin. In terms of runs, it was India’s most improbable Test victory.
Atkinson claimed five wickets in the first innings as India was bowled out for 224. Thanks to Harry Brook and Zak Crawley, England responded with 247. India reached 396 in the second innings thanks to 118 from Yashasvi Jaiswal and an unexpected 66 from Akash Deep, which put England at 374 to win.
With Brook and Root breaking their respective tonnes, England appeared to be in a strong position at 301/3. After falling from 301/3 to 367 all out, England lost to India and finished with a 2-2 record.
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