Clinch narrowest win in Test match by just six runs
By V.N. Prasad
It was a sheer ‘Heart Stopping’ six runs victory for the Indians in the final Test at The Oval, to level the series at 2-2; in an unforgettable fashion.
Heartiest congratulations to the young and energetic Indian team on their impressive victory at The Oval. In one of the narrowest margins in Test cricket, India ran through the English tail on the 5th morning winning the Test by six runs. Skipper Gill won everyone’s ‘Dil’ at The Oval and back in India for his astute captaincy and calm demeanour. Deservedly so, he received an award for his 754 aggregate; that included three tons and a double; all brilliant knocks.
Mohammed Siraj is known to give ‘Hundred Percent’ from the word Go, be it fielding and/or bowling (excuse that dropped catch of Harry Brook). His presence on the field is always electrifying. His nine wickets haul in the Test was a defining performance. Especially the five in the second inning was the match winner; ably supported by Prasidh Krishna who grabbed four. Siraj was adjudged the ‘Man of the Match’ for his brilliant bowling that shook not only the tail but also the top order.
Swing of the pendulum on the fourth day was nerve shattering. It was sledge hammer knock of Washington Sundar (53 with four towering sixes) that set the steep 373 runs chase for the English. In fact, I expected the expert commentators to acknowledge Washington’s feat in eloquent words. It was not to be. The English have chased big totals and were confident of an encore. Our seamers Akash Deep, Md. Siraj and Prasidh Krishna started off impressively as England were reduced to 106 for 3. Then came the partnership of Joe Root and Harry Brook.
Here I have to mention of the unpredictable English weather. Story/ situation turned on its head as the Sun came out. The track turned absolutely dead. Assistance from the air/ atmosphere was a big zero. Usage of ‘Heavy Roller’ added to our woes. None of our three seamers nor the spinners could extract anything at all from the pitch, as Brook exhibited some brutal batting display en route to his century. At the other end, it was Root who batted with sheer elegance, en route to his 39th hundred. His cover drives, straight drives, flick off the toes were all a treat to watch; as he and Brook shared a vital 195 partnership. India sunk in dejection. It was ‘Quick Sand’ situation. All hopes were lost. Sheer providence. Clouds gathered, a few brief showers and the pitch started talking again as the defiant Brook lost his head and lost his wicket.
Md. Siraj and Prasidh Krishna woke up instantly and extracted juice from the pitch. Jacob Bethell threw away his wicket, as Root completed his brilliant ton. Md. Siraj was unplayable in a spell that had even a well-set Root on the back foot. It all looked metamorphic. With a beauty of an inswing, he had Root caught behind at 337. Keeper Jamie Smith was all at sea as bad light stopped the play.
Day 5 was lethal. Both Md. Siraj and Prasidh Krishna bowled their hearts out. A mere 37 looked like a mountain to achieve/ reach. Both exploited the conditions as Jamie Smith and the tail sunk; albeit a few hits here and there. Eventually, the Yorker that ripped Gus Atkinson’s off stump sent the English camp into graveyard silence. India camp was ecstatic to square up the series. Series of on-field and studio thoughts were all redeeming.
On the hindsight, there are a few aspects that we need to evaluate. Sai Sudharsan is no doubt a good T20 player. But too immature in Test Cricket. Karun Nair looked totally jaded and needs to confine to domestic circuits. Someone needs to talk seriously to Yashasvi Jaiswal. He needs to concentrate more and dig in. His hundred had three chances. Akash Deep should watch Ben Stokes’ performances on videos and learn a lot as to the variety a pacer needs to induce mistakes in batsmen. Ok, we are happy now. If we had lost this Test, I am sorry to say that Gautam Gambhir would have come under heavy criticism for team selections.
All’s well that ends well. If only we had won the Lord’s Test, we would have been over the moon.
This post was published on August 5, 2025 6:05 pm