India Captain Reacts to Dramatic Win Over England

A Test Finale Full of Drama

The fifth and final Test at The Oval will surely go down in history as one of the most thrilling finishes in short-term cricketing history. India triumphed over England by a mere six runs to tie the series at 2-2 and show just how beautiful Test cricket can be.

However, beyond the score line, what made this match so special was pure heart and desire displayed by Chris Woakes, who came out to bat with a dislocated shoulder - an act which showed bravery and gained respect by the entire world (including players from both sides).

Shubman Gill Praises Woakes’ Courage

After the match, India captain Shubman Gill even remarked on Woakes determination to stick to his teammates and help lead them home despite injury and pain.

“I didn’t expect him to come out like that, batting with one hand. Hats off to him. It was very, very brave. One of his hands was in the sweater, but he still walked out there. Good on him for showing that courage," Gill said..

By the time Woakes walked out to the crease in support of Gus Atkinson, England needed just 17 runs to win. Atkinson was trying to farm the strike but was eventually bowled by Mohammed Siraj - leaving them to fall just seven runs short.

All the Indian players gathered around Woakes to acknowledge him — a fine moment that highlighted the significant esteem cricketers have for one another off the field.

Brendon McCullum: “Good on Woakesy”

England's head coach Brendon McCullum mirrored Gill's praise for Woakes' attitude:

"I was shocked he ran the byes. Good on Woakesy, he is in so much pain. He never contemplated that if he had to he would run down the stairs and try to get us over the line."

England will take stock of Woakes' injury over the next few days, but his courage in this match has already made him an important character in the history of this series.

Gill on the Series: “It Means So Much”

Taking a step back, Gill indicated how much the result meant for his young Indian team:

"This was a hard-fought series. Both teams were throwing punches, on day four the winning team was anybody's guess. We are a young team but we didn't want to be labelled young - we wanted to be called a gun team. I think we demonstrated that today."

"There is absolutely nothing that can beat Test cricket. You work so hard for a week. You've got the mental challenges; the physical challenges, it's a lot of stress over five days. When you eventually come out on top, it is the most rewarding, satisfying and fulfilling format you can play in."

How the Final Day Unfolded

On day five, England began on 339/6 - just 35 runs short of winning the Test and the series. Jamie Overton hit the first two balls of the day for four, giving us some hope we'd get it done quickly!

But India bounced back.

Overton and Jamie Smith were back in the shed quickly.

Josh Tongue fell for a 12 ball duck.

It appeared Will Jacks wasn't going to help when he was out on ball one.

Then we had a hopeful little Van Gerwen stand between Woakes and Atkinson who finally got some fours and even cleared the ropes.

Ultimately, Siraj held his nerve, bowled Atkinson and secured a famous Indian victory.

England’s Perspective

Captain Ben Stokes, who was forced to miss the decider through injury, praised both teams:

"It's been an incredible series as all five games stretched into the fifth day. The commitment and energy from both teams has been immense. Standing here now I am bitterly disappointed but this series has been an incredible advert for Test cricket."

Stokes argued that Test cricket is certainly not "dying a death," noting how this 2–2 finish showed the game still has global appeal.

Conclusion: A Series to Remember

India's six-run victory in this Test will be a massive part of the defining memories of the series - for Shubman Gill's team, it is the mark of resilience, camaraderie, and belief; for England, it is a tale of bravery, one the one handed stand from Chris Woakes felt at the heart of the Test match.

Fans following every twist and turn on Kheloexch, Nomad and similar platforms know this series was never purely about outcomes. It was a demonstration of why Test cricket continues to be the ultimate test of skill, spirit, and bravery.