What. A. Finish.
India pulled off a stunning 3-wicket win in the 5th Test at The Oval to square the series 2–2 — and they did it the Bazball way. Aggression. Intent. Madness. Pure box office Test cricket 🎬
Let’s walk through this firecracker.
🏟️ Setting the Stage: Oval, Day 1 – England Goes Big
England won the toss and batted. Joe Root looked vintage, Harry Brook stayed fearless, and Stokes gave a classic late-order punch.
They posted a solid 371 in the first innings. India’s bowlers toiled hard, but Siraj and Jadeja kept it under 400.
India replied with a fight — Shubman Gill (72), Jaiswal (58), and a crazy cameo from Akash Deep (66) as a nightwatchman helped India post 360. Just an 11-run trail. Game on. 🔥
🌀 Day 3: Bazball Slows, Siraj & Jadeja Hit Back
England looked to up the tempo in the second innings, but India’s bowlers weren’t having it. Siraj picked up 4 key wickets, and Jadeja spun a web late into the innings.
England folded for 213, setting India a target of 225 on a slightly worn pitch. Tricky, but chaseable.
💥 Day 4: The Chase – Chaos, Brilliance, and a Series-Evening Victory
India came out all guns blazing. Jaiswal smashed 46 off 40 balls, Gill added 38, and KL Rahul played the anchor.
But wickets fell in clusters.
From 110/1 → 144/5 in a blink. The tension hit the roof. 😱
But then… King Sir Jadeja walks in.
💫 Jadeja’s Redemption Arc
He had taken wickets. He had saved sessions. Now, he finished the game.
Jadeja scored a match-winning 61*, controlling the tail, and guiding India home with ice-cold composure.
India won by 3 wickets, and the series finished 2–2.
🧠 Tactical Masterclass from Gill
Shubman Gill’s first overseas captaincy tour ends in a drawn series — but he won hearts.
- Backed Jadeja fully.
- Let Jaiswal express himself.
- Managed the bowling changes spot on.
- Promoted Akash Deep as nightwatchman — bold AND brilliant.
He’s not just a stand-in skipper anymore. He’s here for the long haul 🫡
🥵 England? Bazball Got Bounced
This was supposed to be their series. Their conditions. Their brand.
But India matched them for aggression and beat them with brains.
Stokes, Root, Brook — they fought hard. But India’s depth — Siraj, Jadeja, Gill, Jaiswal — just had more fuel in the tank.
Bazball didn’t fail…
But it met its equal.
📊 Final Series Score:
India 2 – England 2
🏆 Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy: Shared
No losers here. Just pure cricketing theatre.
