Sling-wearing Chris Woakes fails to save England as India draw series with epic fifth Test victory

India win an epic fifth Test against England by just six runs despite a sling-wearing Chris Woakes almost aiding Gus Atkinson in getting the home side over the line in a famous last-wicket stand.

India have recorded a six-run victory over England on the final day of an absorbing fifth Test, defying Chris Woakes taking to the crease wearing a sling.

England went into Monday’s play requiring 35 runs to complete a 3-1 series victory, India requiring four wickets to level a series in which they have dominated for large periods.

Jamie Overton hit boundaries off the first two balls of the day as England attempted to set the tone, but it soon became apparent that the overcast conditions would support the bowlers with a ball that was 77 overs old.

Mohammed Siraj dismissed Jamie Smith (2) who tickled a ball through to wicket-keeper Dhurv Jurel before getting the wicket of Overton (9), India getting the benefit of umpire’s call as the technology ruled that the ball was clipping leg-stump after Overton had been adjudged LBW.

At this point, England still required 20, and it was down to Gus Atkinson to search for runs and protect Josh Tongue, promoted up the order due to Woakes’ shoulder injury.

Woakes scenes to live long in the memory

INDIA HAVE WON THE FIFTH TEST TO DRAW THE SERIES 2-2 ? pic.twitter.com/8GbHTAM15w

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 4, 2025

 

Tongue would last 18 minutes before being bowled by Prasidh Krishna, England 17 runs adrift as The Oval rose to salute and commend Woakes as he made his way down the steps wearing a sling under his England colours.

A six from Atkinson reduced the deficit to 11, putting England to within two heavy blows of victory but Atkinson aware of his responsibility to keep Woakes off strike.

The Surrey man achieved that objective, bringing the chase down to seven runs, and a six would have been enough to seal one of the most memorable Test draws in the history of the game.

However, Siraj – somewhat fittingly having dropped Harry Brook on 19 on Sunday before the England man made 111 – would clean-bowl Atkinson at the start of the 86th over, cutting short the miracle ending that the home support had started to believe was possible.

Player-of-the-Match Siraj ended with figures of 5-104, one short of a 10-wicket haul for the match after his 4-86 in the first innings.

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