India vs England 5th Test Day 5 Highlights: Mohammed Siraj snaps up 9 wickets as IND beat ENG by 6 runs to tie series 2-2

“This morning, Ben Stokes in that team, England would’ve won this Test match. He plays such a big role in this team, the mentality. You go through this morning and England did panic. They just needed one partnership. They panicked in the way that they can with the way that they play, they play with a huge amount of aggressiveness. Yesterday afternoon, the Harry Brook dismissal did cause that collapse, but it’s the way England play,” Vaughan told BBC’s Test Match Special.

Believe. If the popular television series ‘Ted Lasso’ had to be summed up with one word, it would be: believe. For the uninitiated, Ted Lasso is a fictional character in the eponymous show who comes from the USA to take over a Premier League club in England, created on the back of a viral promotional campaign for the league. Ted Lasso’s belief system is, well, belief. Very early in the series, he puts up a handwritten sign on the top of the wall at the entrance to his office in the dressing room. The sign becomes a central plot point of the entire show, going from a goofy thing to getting ripped apart for a good reason, then getting ripped apart in anger, then getting pieced together in an emotional final flourish.

• 1 vs NZ, Wellington, 2023
• 3 vs AUS, Manchester, 1902
• 6 vs AUS, Sydney, 1885
• 6 vs IND, The Oval, 2025

Lowest win margins by runs for India in Tests

• India beat England by 6 runs – The Oval – 2025
• India beat Australia by 13 runs – Wankhede – 2004
• India beat England by 28 runs – Eden Gardens – 1972
• India beat Australia by 31 runs – Adelaide, 2018
• India beat West Indies by 37 runs – Port of Spain, 2002
• India beat West Indies by 49 runs – Kingston, 2006

“That is the best five-match Test series I have ever been a part of and witnessed,” McCullum told Sky Sports. “It just oscillated so much right throughout the six weeks and I felt it had everything. I thought there was hostility at times, camaraderie at times, great cricket at times, there was some average cricket because of the pressure they were put under. "

"I would rate this match highly. The way we fought from the first day till the fifth day, we fought unbelievably. We had a belief in each other that we would win this match... The almighty must have written something good for me, that is why I got the opportunity of taking the last wicket..."

Gus Atkinson’s stumps lay in tatters. Mohammed Siraj, the ecstatic culprit, leapt and punched the air. He u-turned, spread his arms aloft, winked skywards, face unable to express the joy bursting in his head and heart, and just closed his eyes in a state of pure blissfulness, before Dhruv Jurel scrambled onto his back. All the Herculean toil of his in a marathon series met a rewarding closure.

‘Test cricket… absolute goosebumps. Series 2–2, Performance 10/10! SUPERMEN from INDIA! What a Win, said Sachin Tendulkar while Sourav Ganguly remarked, Fantastic from Team India . Test cricket , best format by far. .congratulations to all members and coaches led by the fantastic shubman gill..Siraj has never let this team down any part of the world..such a treat to watch

"Losing Woakesy early on in the game changed the whole responsibility on the bowlers in particular, the roles they were selected for," said Stokes. "But you can look back on a test match that goes five days and pick out loads of moments as to why (you lost). For us, to come out here to try and chase that total down in the way that we did was outstanding."

England won the opener by five wickets at Leeds, but India came back strongly with their crushing 336-run victory in the second match at Birmingham, before the hosts regained their series lead by edging out the Shubman Gill-led visitors by 22 runs at Lord's. India produced a remarkable fifth day batting display to share honours in the fourth game at Manchester.

Then came the memorable comeback by the tourists after Joe Root and Harry Brook had hit what looked to be series-clinching centuries, setting up a tantalising final day's play with three wickets on the fourth evening.

“I thought we’ll easily take it home in the morning, but the way Siraj bowled, he deserved the success today. I thought the pitch would be flatter after the roller. But it zipped around under cloud. But Siraj has had a phenomenal series and a finish,” Brook said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

“It would have been a travesty had England won the series 3-1. India deserve to make to 2-2 for the amount of good cricket they have played in this series. The final scoreline was well and truly deserved by India, and it was very fitting for Siraj to get the final wicket,” Hussain told Sky Cricket.

The tireless warrior Mohammed Siraj would sprint in to bowl the first ball of his 185.3rd over of this series like a wind. He looked like a child running to the playground after the school bell. England were now a hit away to win the series 3-1, a six is all they needed. Even if they had tied the scores, England would have retained the 2-1 lead. The last fully-fit batsman standing, Gus Atkinson, swung his bat alright, but one more of Siraj’s match-changing deadly yorkers would blow the off-stump, and also England’s hopes.

In Indian cricket folklore, Siraj’s yorker could rank with MS Dhoni’s six that won India the 2011 World Cup. Siraj’s strike had given a logical end to the series. India’s 6-run win ended the contest 2-2 – nothing could have been more apt for this epic see-saw battle of fine margins where neither team gave up. There was sweat, blood and broken bones but no sign of the will backing down. (Read more from Sandeep Dwivedi)

“Very, very brave. I didn’t expect him to come out like that, batting with one hand, the other in the sweater, but good on him for showing that courage.” Gill said.

It means so much. This was a very hard-fought series. Both teams throwing punches and you could never really predict after day four who was going to win the match. We are a young team but before the start of the series, we spoke about how we didn’t want to be looked at as a young team. We wanted to be a gun team and I think we showed that today. (On Test cricket) Nothing beats it. It’s the most rewarding format. You work so hard over five days and even before the Test starts, there’s so many mental and physical challenges in this format. Once you’re able to succeed, it’s the most satisfying and rewarding format,” Gill told BBC’s Test Match Special.

23 - Jasprit Bumrah, 2021-22
23 - Mohammed Siraj, 2025*
19 - Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 2014

“Absolutely, and the type of cricketer I think that just makes other people rise up as well. We had one way back in my time, Darren Gough, would just make people play better just because of the way they carried on in the middle and in the dressing room actually,” Atherton told Sky. “When the going gets tough there are some characters that just grow a bit taller. He is one and everybody else will look at him,”

It’s obviously always difficult when you can’t participate in the game. Another hard fought game, down to Day 5, both teams have put in so much energy and effort into it. Bitterly disappointed we couldn’t get over the line. But really proud of my team with everything they’ve put in. Disappointed we couldn’t get the series win. When it got to the situation it did, there was no question in Woakesy’s (Chris Woakes) mind (about batting). He spent yesterday thinking about which way around he was going to bat. We’ve got guys who’ve gone out there and played with broken fingers and broken feet. It shows how much it means to these players to play for their countries. I’m very proud of what the players have done and I’m sure Shubman is too. India-England is always a big series, you get so much emotion. We won’t be going to our bed crying about what was said (on the field) and neither would the Indian players, it’s all part of the passion. Worked incredibly hard to be able to go out there and fulfill my role as an allrounder. Disappointed I had to miss out on this game. Time to rehab and wait for the big one now (The Ashes). When one of your bowlers goes down so early in the game, everyone’s else role changes. The heart and the desire the big fellows kept showing in that second innings was tremendous. All we ask from the guys is for them to leave everything out on the field. Not ideal when one of your bowlers goes down but it was a tremendous effort from our three fast bowlers.

Definitely both the teams played brilliantly throughout the series. Both the teams came up with their A-game, happy to get on the right side today. When you have bowlers like Siraj and Prasidh, captaincy seems easy. They were making the ball talk. Yes, there was a bit of pressure on us but they were really bowling well. We were confident. We wanted them to feel the pressure throughput the 37 runs they scored. He is a captain’s dream, every ball, every spell he bowled he came all out and gave it everything for the team. Both teams coming into Day 5 not knowing who would win shows how passionate both teams were and how hard everyone has played. Feels very rewarding, there were certain things I wanted to work on as a batter and it was a goal to end as the best batter of this series, glad to get that goal. It is always a combination of technique and mentality, when you are feeling good mentally then the technique naturally flows. (What he’s learnt through the series) That we never give up.

Came into the day very confident. Had very two good players out there at the time and thought they’d easily see it home. The way India bowled today, they deserve every success. (On whether England had the advantage today) Absolutely, we thought the bowlers would stiffen up a bit and the pitch would flatten out a bit (after the use of the heavy roller). Siraj has played every game of the series and has bowled every ball 85+mph, respect him a lot. He was always going to go out, massive credit to him. Unfortunate we couldn’t get over the line. So many things you can think in hindsight, we were obviously going so well, if we could’ve got a couple of big overs when I was going then the game was done. We’ve seen collapses in this series. My thought process was just to hit as many runs as quickly as possible. If we needed 40 runs when I and Rooty were out there and I got out, the game would’ve still been ours. Hindsight’s a beautiful thing, now that I think about it, I probably shouldn’t have played that shot. It’s been an awesome series, very intense series, we’ve been knackered after everything. We’ve put everything out there, we’ve enjoyed every moment of it even though the result didn’t go our way today. It’s such a good advert for Test cricket.

To be honest, it feels amazing. We wanted to fight hard from Day 1 and to see this result is great. The plan was to keep it simple and hit one spot. When I woke up today I believed that I could do it. If I had taken that (Brook) catch properly probably we may not have had to come today. But Brook played really well. It was a heart-breaking moment. He was just telling me to middle the ball. Remember you Father and the hardwork you have put in to get here.

It means absolutely everything. I have played cricket for a while. We won the Champions Trophy. I have seen India lifting the World Cup, nothing compares to lifting the World Cup. but so many doubts, so many questions about whether Test cricket will stay or not. I think both the teams with the way we have played the series I guess have answered the question. For us as a team that wasn't given a chance in the series.. for us to fight back and fight every game and get a result of 2-2... Might seem like a draw but for us and for Indian Test cricket going into the future, this will rank right at the top and this is where the change begins and the team will win a lot more series outside of India. The whole team deserves it. Once I joined the team, it hit me (Not having the senior players around). To look around and not see them (Rohit, Virat and Ashwin) felt a bit weird. Everyone came to me and asked me about conditions and that is when it hit me that okay, I have stepped into a different role to help the younger guys and use all the experience and really put my hand up and stand up for this team. Shubman has been phenomenal. He has really led from the front. Has worked really hard with the boys. He has been tactically really good. The changes he has made have always got us wickets somehow. He will grow further. He is here to stay as a leader and take this Indian Test team to great heights.

I was just thinking that I should bowl in the right areas. To be honest, I didn't think that I would take the (Brook) catch and step on the rope. It was a match-changing moment. Yes, I always believed myself that I will do it for the team.

Well, at Lords, it was Siraj who was the last man out. He had to be dragged out of the ground that day, but this is how funny this game can be today he has picked the final wicket to give India a famous win. What a start this has been to Shubman Gill's era, who would have thought when he reached the England shores what awaits. It has been a magnificent series one that will be remembered for the longest time. In the end it has been Siraj who always is under the shadows of Bumrah has his moment to shine. We will be back with the presentation do stay with us.

Atkinson softly pushes one down the ground and gets the single. The required score comes down to seven which means one six the scores will be level. Last time India tied a game was in 2011 against West Indies in Mumbai can we have tie we have to wait and see. Gill is taking a lot of time with his bowlers to get the plans right. It has become a bit of ODI field here. And as we udpate Mohammed Siraj has picked up the final wicket and India win by 6-runs and level the series 2-2.

Gus Atkinson slammed a six off Siraj, which is a bit of turning point in the game. Atkinson is throwing everything at it at the moment, and it is important India does bowl or resort a bit of T20 tactics here. Prasidh Krishna has to be a tad bit careful here he tends to be leaky at times hence this might be the final over of this game. We might see him bowl yorkers as we see Gill has put everyone on the boundary this is a bit of stalemate unless Atkinson middles it to perfection there is no way it is going over the boundary. 

Prasidh Krishna gets Josh Tongue with a superb yorker. It was coming at some point in time. The ball was kept outside the off-stump through the morning from both the bowlers, but Prasidh of the both have been more expermenting with a few short ones, and then he suddenly delivered the yorker. Well, Chris Woakes has come to bat regardless of the result of the game. His effort to come out deserves a standing ovation. It has been said that he will be batting left-handed, and it is not at all going to be easy. Atkinson has to do the bulk of the work here.

Siraj has picked up Jamie Overton. It was out, out, and then the wobble seam delivery from the same area, which nipped back, and he was trapped in front. The lines are so precise from Siraj that the moment the ball is coming back in, it is going to hit the stumps, and Overton did send it upstairs, and it was umpire's call, and Dharmasena on-field has given out. This is nerve-wrecking India would believe one more wicket here they have the game in their pocket. Chris Woakes coming to bat is a very good thing but can he be as effective as a left-hander as he can be righ-hander it is a hard ask.

It will be interesting to see if India will take the new ball. The conditions are good, and with the harder ball, the indentations may come alive; however, the ball will fly through, and run scoring will become easy. Whatever decision Gill ,takes it will be a gamble. Ravi Shastri in commentary reckons India should avoid taking the new ball as the ball is swinging quite well here. The Indian seamers are operating around that fourth stump channel at the moment, so if England have to get runs, they have to poke at one, which might and induce an edge excellent tactics this from India.

Well, Mohammed Siraj has got the breakthrough here. Jamie Smith is the batter who is out. It was a wide delivery which Smith poked at, and the edge carried to Dhruv Jurel. England are seven down now. It is getting quite nervy here at the Oval. As we update, KL Rahul has dropped a difficult opportunity here. The ball nicked and just fell short of KL Rahul; if that had been taken, Indian players would be all over England. The nerves are palpable in the English batters too here. Siraj is bowling an extraordinary line and length, it is quite breathtaking stuff here.

It won't take long; we might be done with the result by about an hour. However, it is going to be a thrilling session. The new ball is about three overs away, and the passage with that new ball is going to be quite crucial.

Day 5 at The Oval and the conditions are cloudy. It is overcast and quite chilly today. The colour of the grass has changed and you can see more brown patches. England have the option of taking the heavy roller, while India can take the second new ball soon enough. Only 35 runs to get, but if India can take a couple of quick wickets then the game can get very interesting. Whichever team will handle the pressure moments better will end up winning.

Mohammed Siraj has overcome a series of unfortunate and frustrating moments in the Test series to become the leading figure of the Indian bowling attack. Despite setbacks like dropped catches and his own fielding errors, he has emerged as a resilient and inspiring leader for his teammates. (Read more from Sandip G)

Rain is predicted on Monday, August 4 around the south London area. Much to the relief of cricket fans and possibly both sets of players, weather forecasts predict that rain won’t come in until the afternoon.

The BBC Weather forecast for London states: “Any early brightness this morning will be replaced by thick cloud and spells of patchy light rain. It will turn windy in the afternoon with outbreaks of rain developing for the rest of the day.”

“Absolutely, and the type of cricketer I think that just makes other people rise up as well. We had one way back in my time, Darren Gough, would just make people play better just because of the way they carried on in the middle and in the dressing room actually,” Atherton told Sky. “When the going gets tough there are some characters that just grow a bit taller. He is one and everybody else will look at him,”

“I love to play for the country. I don’t think of if I broke down or anything. I think of the match In my mind I keep simple plan. I give it everything. And rest will follow,” Siraj told Sky cricket after Day 4. “Since childhood, why did you play…motivation is to play for India. I don’t fixate on result. Just give 100 percent in the body. When you relax after a tough day, you ask yourself if the answer is yes you have 100 percent, then I sleep well. Zyada nai sochta result kya aaega, kya nahi,”

“Even a 10–15 minute extra break can do wonders for a team. It (the break on Sunday due to rain) gave the players time to regroup in the dressing room, talk strategy, and recover physically. I’m sure the message in the room was clear—‘We’ve worked too hard over the past 60 days to let this game slip.’ This team has travelled all the way from India and dominated large parts of the series. A series draw is the least they deserve. A loss from this position would really hurt. But after that spirited bowling spell post-tea, I genuinely believe India are now in a position to win this match,” Aaron said on JioHotstar.

Mohammed Siraj has overcome a series of unfortunate and frustrating moments in the Test series to become the leading figure of the Indian bowling attack. Despite setbacks like dropped catches and his own fielding errors, he has emerged as a resilient and inspiring leader for his teammates. (Read more from Sandip G)

"India have been very impressive over the series, but they haven’t won the main moments. If Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli were playing, I think the outcome would have been different. Certain players sniff out the main moments and are proactive rather than reactive. Ben Stokes is fabulous at that. India will be scratching their heads thinking how on earth they could lose this 3-1."

“On a day like this, especially with a Test series of this magnitude, it would be nice to have 20,000 people at the ground cheering, whichever team won, I mean, it was either going to go England 3-1, which is what it looked like for a majority of the day, and then suddenly after tea, India’s come back and they have some renewed excellence with the ball,” 

“Most importantly for viewers and fans who paid good money, remember Monday is a workday, and this sort of series deserves a finale in front of a big crowd at an iconic cricket ground, the Oval. That would have been some finale on Sunday, you may have just knocked off 35, or you may have seen Chris Woakes walk downstairs in a sling. I’m just wondering if they could have done anything, they had like 42-43 minutes to play with and within the laws and the playing regulations,” said Hussain on Sky Sports.

Hello and welcome to our live blog of day 25 of the series. Well, England are favourites to win the game, but given the amount of twists and turns we have witnessed in this series we might have a thriller on our hands. A wicket in the first 10-15 minutes at the start of play will make both dressing rooms nervous. Stay with us to get all the updates.