The sight of Chris Woakes limping down the pavilion steps at The Oval was one of sheer pathos. Normally not England’s No. 11, he had dislocated his shoulder in a courageous attempt to save a boundary on Day 3. Now, his left arm strapped tightly across his chest, bat dangling in his right hand, Woakes embodied England’s last hope — 17 runs away from a miraculous victory.
England’s supporters rose to their feet, rallying behind a visibly pained Woakes. On the field, Gus Atkinson, unbeaten on 8, was left to carry the burden. India’s stand-in captain Shubman Gill set a deep field, inviting a single. But Atkinson resisted, knowing the goal was to score in boundaries — not risk exposing Woakes to a delivery.
Then came a twist. Off the second ball of the 83rd over, Atkinson’s shot cleared a fielder’s hands and landed for six. The crowd roared. A desperate dance of single-denial and strike retention ensued. On the last ball of the over, Atkinson missed, but Woakes — against all odds — ran. A misfield allowed him to make it home safely, drawing wild cheers from English fans.
With 7 runs required, Atkinson scored two, then missed four deliveries. On the final ball, a single handed the strike to Woakes again. But the pain was etched on his face. It was the first ball of Siraj’s over that finally ended it — Atkinson, bowled. India erupted. It was their narrowest-ever Test win, clawed back from the brink of defeat.
Earlier, England looked set for triumph. At 301-3, a 194-run stand between Joe Root and Harry Brook had tilted the scales. Root's innings was a masterclass; Brook’s century a flash of brilliance. But Brook’s decision to go for the kill — skying the ball in an ill-fated heave — changed everything. England's momentum crumbled.
Root’s emotional century tribute to late coach Graham Thorpe added gravitas to the match. Funds raised for mental health awareness, with fans donning Thorpe-style headbands, were a touching backdrop to Root’s gesture — pointing skyward in memory.
From 337-6, the game was halted due to bad light and rain. It resumed the next morning with all results still possible — the perfect setting for a classic. That finale will be etched in memory for the tension, the grit, and the tragedy of effort in vain.
The series ended 2-2, but many, especially in India, see their team as moral victors. The contests were fierce, emotionally charged, and sometimes acrimonious — especially at Manchester, where England accused India of ignoring the “spirit of cricket” by denying players personal milestones in pursuit of a win.
Fatigue played its part too. With five Tests squeezed into just over five weeks to make room for The Hundred in August, players were physically drained. Several England stars have already withdrawn from upcoming matches due to fitness concerns.
The Woakes incident has reignited the debate over injury substitutes in Test cricket — a polarizing issue. England’s captain is opposed, but the image of a battered Woakes padding out to the middle in vain might make some rethink.
As with the iconic 2005 Ashes series, this five-Test saga went the distance — each game reaching the fifth day. It offered fans breathtaking drama, unforgettable moments, and a sobering reminder of the toll elite cricket takes on the human body and spirit.
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