In a thrilling turn of events, Mohammed Siraj led India to a dramatic six-run victory over England, resulting in a 2-2 series draw. Despite sustaining a shoulder injury on day one, England’s Chris Woakes valiantly batted with a sling at the Oval in a bid to secure a win for the home team.
Following a hard-fought draw at Old Trafford, India headed to the deciding fifth Test in London, facing an England side without the services of Ben Stokes who had made significant changes to their bowling lineup. With rain interrupting day four after impressive centuries from Joe Root and Harry Brook, England needed just 35 runs to chase down 374 for victory.
The tension escalated as Jamie Overton started aggressively but fell victim to Siraj’s bowling prowess, who claimed five wickets in the final innings. Despite the availability of a new ball, India chose to stick with the old one as the match approached a nail-biting conclusion.
With Woakes sidelined with a shoulder injury, England’s hopes rested on the shoulders of their remaining batsmen. However, Siraj’s exceptional bowling skills proved too much for the English side. In a courageous display, Woakes, nursing a long recovery ahead, joined Atkinson in a last-ditch effort to chase down the remaining runs.
In a heart-stopping finale, Atkinson’s crucial six runs and Woakes’ determined efforts were not enough as Siraj delivered the final blow by dismissing Woakes to secure India’s narrow Test match victory. The series concluded in a fitting manner, showcasing the competitive spirit and skill of both teams throughout the enthralling contest.