What happened on Day 5 of England vs India, 5th Test? All you need to know

Day 5 of the Oval Test between England and India saw a thrilling end to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 as India sealed a nail-biting six-run win over the home side and drew the series 2-2. 

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England needed just 35 runs with four wickets in hand, and it seemed like an easy task for the hosts — especially with Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton unbeaten at the crease. But from ball one, Team India’s bowlers looked in rhythm and fully charged up.

First, Mohammed Siraj provided the breakthrough by dismissing Smith, and then trapped Overton LBW. The visitors were then just two wickets away from victory. Prasidh Krishna supported Siraj well by knocking over Josh Tongue for a 12-ball duck, reducing England to 357/9.

Then, Chris Woakes walked out to bat despite having an injured shoulder. Fans from both India and England stood up and applauded his brave act. However, India soon had a golden chance to finish the game when Gus Atkinson attempted a big shot over Cow Corner off Siraj. Akash Deep was positioned there, but after backtracking, he couldn’t hold on to the catch — the ball popped out of his hands and went over the ropes for six. The miss stunned Team India and their fans alike.

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Mohammed Siraj picked up 23 wickets in the series

Woakes and Atkinson began to inch closer to the target, and the tension increased with every run. With just seven runs needed, Siraj was handed another over. On the very first delivery, he produced a pinpoint yorker to rattle Atkinson’s off-stump and complete his five-wicket haul. England were bowled out for 367, handing India a dramatic six-run win and a 2-2 series draw.

Siraj was rightfully named Player of the Match for taking nine wickets in total — four in the first innings and five in the second. He also finished as the highest wicket-taker of the series with 23 wickets in nine innings.

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India skipper Shubman Gill ended the series as the highest run-scorer, amassing 754 runs in 10 innings. He was named India’s Player of the Series, chosen by England head coach Brendon McCullum. For England, Harry Brook was named their Player of the Series by Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir, having scored 481 runs in nine innings.

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