India clinched a thrilling six-run win over England in the 5th Test at The Oval to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series 2-2. Shubman Gill’s debut as Test captain and Mohammed Siraj’s stellar bowling performance stole the show in one of India’s greatest overseas Test victories.
In a dramatic and nail-biting finish at The Oval, India defeated England by six runs in the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, leveling the five-match series 2-2. The win, hailed as one of India’s most significant overseas Test triumphs, has also cast a positive light on Shubman Gill’s first outing as India’s Test captain.
Former India all-rounder and batting coach Sanjay Bangar voiced strong support for Gill’s captaincy, stating that victories like this ease the scrutiny on a young leader still learning the ropes. “Performing in a series like this certainly takes away all the doubts about his ability to lead. If he’s scoring runs in his primary role as a batter, captaincy is something you learn on the go,” Bangar said on JioHotstar.
Gill, just 25, emerged as the highest run-scorer in the series with a mammoth tally of 754 runs in 10 innings at an average of 75.40, including four centuries batting at number four. Bangar compared Gill’s debut series as captain to legendary figures like Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli, who also began their captaincy journeys with impact.
“There is never a perfect captain,” Bangar said. “Going unscathed in your first series and leading a team that never gave up – that’s huge. With time, the tactical side will come. He’ll understand combinations better and take bolder calls. This is a brilliant start.”
KL Rahul, who played a key role in the series with 532 runs at an average of 53.2, also praised Gill’s leadership. “Shubman has been phenomenal. He’s led from the front, has been tactically sound, and always managed to make changes that worked in our favour. He is here to stay as a leader.”
India’s win was a culmination of resilience, tactical excellence, and individual brilliance. On the fifth day, England resumed their chase at 339 for 6, needing 35 runs to win with four wickets in hand. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who finished with a match haul of nine wickets, struck early to dismantle the tail and seal the win. He was named Player of the Match for his performance, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings.
India had earlier scored 224 in the first innings and 396 in the second, while England managed 247 and 367, falling just short in a tense finish.
Speaking after the match, KL Rahul expressed the emotional weight of the win. “This means absolutely everything. I’ve seen India win the Champions Trophy and the World Cup. But this Test series, the doubts surrounding us, the discussions about the future of Test cricket – I think both teams have answered that Test cricket is very much alive.”
Rahul added that this win marked a turning point for the Indian Test side. “For us, this 2-2 doesn’t feel like a draw. We were written off, but we fought every game. This is where the change begins. I believe we’ll now win more series overseas.”
The series also held great significance for new head coach Gautam Gambhir, whose start included back-to-back series defeats to New Zealand and Australia. Bangar pointed out that the win was a turning point not just for Gill but for Gambhir’s vision for the team. “Even Gautam never gave up. This result validates his direction and his belief in the squad.”
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For the Indian cricket team, this win was more than just numbers on a scoreboard—it was a show of grit, unity, and belief in a new generation of leaders. As Shubman Gill begins his journey at the helm with such a landmark series, Indian cricket fans have plenty to be excited about in the years to come.
