From the heartbreak at Edgbaston to a jaw-dropping six-run win for India at The Oval - Some takeaways from India vs England Anderson -Tendulkar trophy

From the heartbreak at Edgbaston in Birmingham earlier in the series to a jaw-dropping six-run win for India at The Oval, tying the series 2-2. Here’s what stood out to me, in simple words, with my thoughts expanded a bit.

The India vs. England 5th Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, played at The Oval in London from July 31 to August 4, 2025, was an absolute rollercoaster

1. Cricket’s a Team Sport, Not a One-Man Show: 

I’ve always believed cricket is about the whole team pulling together, and this match proved it. India won without Jasprit Bumrah, their star bowler, which shows they don’t need one guy to carry them. Sure, Bumrah’s a game-changer, but I’ve seen India lose matches even when he’s playing. This win felt special because it showed the team’s heart—everyone chipped in, proving no single player, not even Bumrah, guarantees a win. It’s the team’s spirit that matters most. We were missing Rishabh Pant too.

2. Mohammed Siraj, the Red-Ball Rock: 

Man, Siraj was on fire! He got the Player of the Match award for his amazing 5/104 in England’s second innings, especially those three quick wickets on the last morning that flipped the game. I checked, and he’s the only Indian pacer who played every single Test in this series. That’s huge—no injuries, no complaints about workload, just pure grit. Whenever India needed a hero, Siraj stepped up, proving he’s the guy you trust in red-ball cricket.

3. Shubman Gill Shines with the Bat, But Captaincy Needs Work: 

I was blown away by Gill’s batting—754 runs with four centuries! That’s a record for an Asian batter in tough places like England. He was the Player of the Series, no doubt. But as a captain, I wasn’t that impressed. Ben Stokes, England’s skipper, seemed way sharper with his tactics. Stokes was aggressive, smart, and kept England in the fight. If he hadn’t been dealing with fitness issues, I think England might’ve won this one. Gill’s got the batting down, but I feel he needs to level up his leadership game.

4. Young India’s Got Guts: 

This Indian team is young, but wow, they know how to fight! Missing big names like Bumrah and Rishabh Pant could’ve sunk them, but they battled back from being 2-1 down in the series. Even with injuries, they never gave up and pulled off this epic win. I’m proud of how this new generation stepped up, showing they’ve got the heart to take on any challenge, no matter who’s missing.

5. India’s Tiniest Test Win Ever:

This six-run victory was the closest India has ever won a Test match by runs. I was on the edge of my seat! It was so intense, and when England fell just short, I couldn’t believe it. This win saved the series for India, keeping it at 2-2 and letting them hold onto the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. That tight finish is something I’ll never forget.

6. Chris Woakes, a True Fighter: 

I’ve got to salute Chris Woakes for his guts. He was injured but kept batting, trying to drag England to the 374-run target. He gave it everything for his country, and that’s the kind of spirit I respect. Rishabh Pant did something similar in an earlier Test, but this time, Woakes was the one who nearly stole the show. My heart went out to him when England lost by just six runs—he deserved better.

7. England’s Bazball Needs a Bit of Calm: 

England’s ‘Bazball’ style—super aggressive batting—was fun to watch. Harry Brook (111) and Joe Root (105) almost chased down 374, which was wild. But when they were cruising at 332/4, they got reckless and collapsed to 367. I think they need to mix in some smarter, more patient batting with their attacking approach. A little balance could’ve won them this match, and I hope they figure it out.

8. What a Crazy, Awesome Series, and Red ball cricket:

 This series was one of the best I’ve ever seen. The last 56 minutes on Day 5 were pure drama—some of the most exciting Test cricket moments ever. The whole series had huge scores, with 14 team totals over 300, 50 fifty-plus scores, and 21 centuries. It reminded me why I love red-ball cricket—it’s got everything: tension, skill, and heart.

9. Series Tie and WTC Points Matter: 

The 2-2 draw felt right because both teams were so evenly matched. India climbed to third in the World Test Championship standings, which is huge for their chances of making the final. England dropped a bit, but they’re still in the race. I love how India fought back after being down 2-1—it shows they’ve got what it takes to compete in tough conditions.

10. What’s Next for Arshdeep Singh, Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair?

 I felt a bit let down by Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair. They weren’t awful—Nair’s 57 in the first innings was decent—but they didn’t light up the series either. Their scores were mostly on the lower side, and with guys like Shreyas Iyer, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Sarfaraz Khan waiting for chances, I’m worried about their spots. India might stick with them for a bit to give them a fair go, but if they don’t step up soon, I think the selectors will bring in new faces. Their Test careers are on shaky ground, and I’m curious to see if they can bounce back, and when will Arshdeep Singh get his deserved chances? He should have debuted till now but he hasn't.

This match had my heart racing from start to finish. Siraj’s fire, India’s teamwork, and that nail-biting six-run win made it unforgettable. The whole series was a reminder of why Test cricket is so special, and I’m already excited for what’s next!

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