India’s England tour had an incredible end on Monday (August 4) after the visitors won by six runs in a thrilling finish on Day 5 of The Oval Test match. Mohammed Siraj, India’s architect in the victory, scalped a decisive five-for as he continued his fluent form with the ball during the series. Applauding the pacer’s determination and ability to play all five matches, former India captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar slammed conversations relating to workload management.<h2>Gavaskar slams workload conversations</h2>"Mohammed Siraj debunked forever this business of workload. I hope that the workload word gets taken out of Indian cricket dictionary. For 5 Test matches, non-stop he has bowled 7-8 over spells, because the captain wanted him and the country expected of him," Gavaskar told India Today in the interview.&nbsp;"And that is one thing I think people keep in mind that workload is a mental thing, not a physical thing and if you are going to succumb to people who are talking about workload then you are never going to have your best players on the field for your country," he added.&nbsp;Heading into the series, the Indian team management had opted to go for a rotational system in the bowling department to rest Jasprit Bumrah. However, that criteria was not applied to Siraj as he represented India in all five matches of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. During the series, Siraj bagged 23 wickets, the most by any bowler and helped India win the final Test, thereby drawing the series 2-2.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-virat-kohli-here-is-a-look-at-five-indian-batters-with-most-runs-in-asia-cup-odis-t20is-sachin-tendulkar-ms-dhoni-dhawan-1754123070628">From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is)</a><h2>India-England share Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy</h2>In a series full of thrilling contests, the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was shared by India and England as it ended 2-2. India won the Edgbaston and The Oval Test while England emerged victorious in Headingley and Lord’s. Both of England’s victories came in the final session of Day 5, highlighting India’s fighting nature. The Manchester Test was the only match that ended in a stalemate, with both teams giving their best.

Applauding Mohammed Siraj's determination and ability to play all five matches, former India captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar slammed conversations relating to workload management.

India’s England tour had an incredible end on Monday (August 4) after the visitors won by six runs in a thrilling finish on Day 5 of The Oval Test match. Mohammed Siraj, India’s architect in the victory, scalped a decisive five-for as he continued his fluent form with the ball during the series. Applauding the pacer’s determination and ability to play all five matches, former India captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar slammed conversations relating to workload management. Gavaskar slams workload conversations "Mohammed Siraj debunked forever this business of workload. I hope that the workload word gets taken out of Indian cricket dictionary. For 5 Test matches, non-stop he has bowled 7-8 over spells, because the captain wanted him and the country expected of him," Gavaskar told India Today in the interview. "And that is one thing I think people keep in mind that workload is a mental thing, not a physical thing and if you are going to succumb to people who are talking about workload then you are never going to have your best players on the field for your country," he added. Heading into the series, the Indian team management had opted to go for a rotational system in the bowling department to rest Jasprit Bumrah. However, that criteria was not applied to Siraj as he represented India in all five matches of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. During the series, Siraj bagged 23 wickets, the most by any bowler and helped India win the final Test, thereby drawing the series 2-2. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is) India-England share Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy In a series full of thrilling contests, the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was shared by India and England as it ended 2-2. India won the Edgbaston and The Oval Test while England emerged victorious in Headingley and Lord’s. Both of England’s victories came in the final session of Day 5, highlighting India’s fighting nature. The Manchester Test was the only match that ended in a stalemate, with both teams giving their best.

Applauding Mohammed Siraj's determination and ability to play all five matches, former India captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar slammed conversations relating to workload management.

IND vs ENG: Sunil Gavaskar slams 'workload' conversation, praises Mohammed Siraj after match-winning spell

The Indian team had a sweet end to a long England tour on Monday (August 4) after they beat England by a mere six runs at The Oval. The win saw both India and England share the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, with both teams winning two matches each.&nbsp;The new-look Indian side had Shubman Gill as the skipper with no Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the side for the first time in more than a decade in the red-ball format. As India enjoyed a huge batting success, there was the curious case for ‘No.3 position’ which is well and truly up for grabs after Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan failed to make their mark.&nbsp;<h2>Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan fail at No.3</h2>During the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Karun Nair played at the No.3 position on four occasions during the Edgbaston and Lord’s Test, scoring 111 runs. His highest score across the four innings was 40 as he clearly struggled to nail down a place in the position. He was also used as a No.5 in the Headingley and the Oval Tests, but failed to make an impression, scoring 94 runs in four further innings.&nbsp;&nbsp;Considering Ravindra Jadeja was scoring runs in tandem despite not being a full-time batter, it showed Nair’s inability to adapt against the lethal English attack. Interestingly, he had scored 204 against England Lions in a warm-up match before the series started.&nbsp;&nbsp;On the other hand, Sai Sudharsan scored slightly more runs at No.3 for India, but he also played two more innings compared to Nair. While he got a fifty at Old Trafford, he was also on the receiving end of two ducks in that position. In total, Sudharsan scored 140 runs in six innings, highlighting India’s flaws at No.3 while batters like KL Rahul and Shubman Gill were excelling.&nbsp;&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-virat-kohli-here-is-a-look-at-five-indian-batters-with-most-runs-in-asia-cup-odis-t20is-sachin-tendulkar-ms-dhoni-dhawan-1754123070628">From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is)</a><h2>Who are the options?</h2>As things stand, India will have to rethink their plans for the No.3 position with the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Sarafraz Khan on the waiting list. However, neither is a natural No.3 option, meaning that to accommodate either in the Playing XI, Shubman Gill will have to move up. But that said, it is unlikely the Indian management will change Gill’s position after starring in the No.4 position.&nbsp;&nbsp;If natural No.3 options are taken into consideration, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane could be thrown a career lifeline. Like Iyer and Sarafraz, Rahane is also not a natural No.3, so his return looks unlikely, while Pujara’s return will depend on factors like age, injury and long-term availability.&nbsp;&nbsp;It also won’t be surprising if the Indian team management decides to give Abhimanyu Easwaran a debut cap during the West Indies series in October and try him at No.3, having travelled with the squad for the entire Australia and England tour without getting any game time. &nbsp;

As India enjoyed a huge batting success during the England tour, there was the curious case for ‘No.3 position’ which is well and truly up for grabs after Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan failed to make their mark. 

The Indian team had a sweet end to a long England tour on Monday (August 4) after they beat England by a mere six runs at The Oval. The win saw both India and England share the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, with both teams winning two matches each. The new-look Indian side had Shubman Gill as the skipper with no Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the side for the first time in more than a decade in the red-ball format. As India enjoyed a huge batting success, there was the curious case for ‘No.3 position’ which is well and truly up for grabs after Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan failed to make their mark. Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan fail at No.3 During the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Karun Nair played at the No.3 position on four occasions during the Edgbaston and Lord’s Test, scoring 111 runs. His highest score across the four innings was 40 as he clearly struggled to nail down a place in the position. He was also used as a No.5 in the Headingley and the Oval Tests, but failed to make an impression, scoring 94 runs in four further innings. Considering Ravindra Jadeja was scoring runs in tandem despite not being a full-time batter, it showed Nair’s inability to adapt against the lethal English attack. Interestingly, he had scored 204 against England Lions in a warm-up match before the series started. On the other hand, Sai Sudharsan scored slightly more runs at No.3 for India, but he also played two more innings compared to Nair. While he got a fifty at Old Trafford, he was also on the receiving end of two ducks in that position. In total, Sudharsan scored 140 runs in six innings, highlighting India’s flaws at No.3 while batters like KL Rahul and Shubman Gill were excelling. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is) Who are the options? As things stand, India will have to rethink their plans for the No.3 position with the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Sarafraz Khan on the waiting list. However, neither is a natural No.3 option, meaning that to accommodate either in the Playing XI, Shubman Gill will have to move up. But that said, it is unlikely the Indian management will change Gill’s position after starring in the No.4 position. If natural No.3 options are taken into consideration, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane could be thrown a career lifeline. Like Iyer and Sarafraz, Rahane is also not a natural No.3, so his return looks unlikely, while Pujara’s return will depend on factors like age, injury and long-term availability. It also won’t be surprising if the Indian team management decides to give Abhimanyu Easwaran a debut cap during the West Indies series in October and try him at No.3, having travelled with the squad for the entire Australia and England tour without getting any game time.

As India enjoyed a huge batting success during the England tour, there was the curious case for ‘No.3 position’ which is well and truly up for grabs after Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan failed to make their mark.&nbsp;

'The No.3 position': India's unanswered question during England tour after Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan failures

It was a sensational game of cricket at The Oval as India beat England by six runs in the final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on Monday (Aug 4). The contest that had everyone on the edge of their seats saw India scalp four wickets in the opening session of Day 5 to win the match. The win for India also saw the series end in a 2-2 draw as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was shared between India and England.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">TAKE A BOW, MOHD. SIRAJ! Scorecard ▶️ <a href="https://t.co/Tc2xpWMCJ6">https://t.co/Tc2xpWMCJ6</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvIND</a> <a href="https://t.co/opZZ53Xnxh">pic.twitter.com/opZZ53Xnxh</a>&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1952323320650625427?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>India win Oval thriller</h2>Needing four wickets to win on the final day, it was a do-or-die situation for Shubman Gill and Co as Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna gave their best shot. Their persistence was rewarded in the second over of the day as Jamie Smith (2) was dismissed by Siraj after Dhruv Jurel caught him. Just two overs later, Jamie Overton (9) joined Smith after he was given LBW by umpire Kumar Dharmasena in a decision that looked controversial. However, DRS favoured India as Overton was given out by the third umpire.&nbsp;&nbsp;The luck did not shine for India next time as Josh Togue’s LBW wicket was overturned by the third umpire after he was judged out by umpire Ahsan Raza in the 81st over. However, that resilience was broken in the 83rd over when Tongue was dismissed by Krishna on a duck, paving the way for unlikely batter Chris Woakes to enter the pitch despite being injured.&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite having Woakes come out to bat, England could not prevent the defeat as Gus Atkinson was dismissed for 17 to cap off a sensational game of cricket. Woakes, for all his determination, did not face a single ball as India sealed the match by six runs.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-virat-kohli-here-is-a-look-at-five-indian-batters-with-most-runs-in-asia-cup-odis-t20is-sachin-tendulkar-ms-dhoni-dhawan-1754123070628">From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is)</a><h2>India-England share Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy</h2>In a series full of thrilling contests, the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was shared by India and England as it ended 2-2. India won the Edgbaston and The Oval Test while England emerged victorious in Headingley and Lord’s. Both of England’s victories came in the final session of Day 5, highlighting India’s fighting nature. The Manchester Test was the only match that ended in a stalemate, with both teams giving their best.

The contest that had everyone on the edge of their seats saw India scalp four wickets in the opening session of Day 5 to win the match. The win for India also saw the series end in a 2-2 draw as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was shared between India and England. 

It was a sensational game of cricket at The Oval as India beat England by six runs in the final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on Monday (Aug 4). The contest that had everyone on the edge of their seats saw India scalp four wickets in the opening session of Day 5 to win the match. The win for India also saw the series end in a 2-2 draw as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was shared between India and England.

The contest that had everyone on the edge of their seats saw India scalp four wickets in the opening session of Day 5 to win the match. The win for India also saw the series end in a 2-2 draw as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was shared between India and England.&nbsp;

IND vs ENG: India win Oval thriller on Day 5 as teams share Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy

The Oval Test is all set for a blockbuster final day as India and England enter a decisive chapter in the five-match series with the hosts needing 35 more runs to win on Monday (Aug 4). While England are in pole position to win the match after a superb batting display, they might still have to give an SOS to injured Chris Woakes, with them having only four wickets in hand. However, former England captain Joe Root has backed the injured pacer if his team requires him to be in the middle with the match set for a thriller.&nbsp;<h2>Joe Root backs injured Chris Woakes to bat</h2>"Well, clearly he's in a huge amount of pain. There are other guys in this series who have played with a broken foot. Players have taken blows here and there, and for Woakes, it just shows the character that he is, and that he's willing to put his body on the line for England. Hopefully he does not have to, but if it does, hopefully he gets us across the line and wins us an incredible series," Root said at the press conference at the end of Day 4's play.&nbsp;Needing 324 runs to win on Day 4, England batters Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) made the difference as they stitched a stand of 195 runs for the fourth wicket. The partnership has seen England on course to a record chase, with them needing 35 more runs on the final day. While the hosts looked in command, it was late strikes from Indian bowlers in the final session of Day 4 that made matters interesting.&nbsp;&nbsp;ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-virat-kohli-here-is-a-look-at-five-indian-batters-with-most-runs-in-asia-cup-odis-t20is-sachin-tendulkar-ms-dhoni-dhawan-1754123070628"> From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is)</a>&nbsp;India need four more wickets to win the match, with Woakes being the final man. If India can take wickets in the early phase of Day 5, the hosts will be left with no option but to send Woakes out to bat. They currently lead the five-match series 2-1, meaning losing the match is not an option, while a draw is already out of their hands with just 35 runs needed on Day 5.

England are in pole position to win The Oval Test match after a superb batting display, however, they might still have to give an SOS to injured Chris Woakes, with the hosts having only four wickets in hand. 

The Oval Test is all set for a blockbuster final day as India and England enter a decisive chapter in the five-match series with the hosts needing 35 more runs to win on Monday (Aug 4). While England are in pole position to win the match after a superb batting display, they might still have to give an SOS to injured Chris Woakes, with them having only four wickets in hand. However, former England captain Joe Root has backed the injured pacer if his team requires him to be in the middle with the match set for a thriller. Joe Root backs injured Chris Woakes to bat "Well, clearly he's in a huge amount of pain. There are other guys in this series who have played with a broken foot. Players have taken blows here and there, and for Woakes, it just shows the character that he is, and that he's willing to put his body on the line for England. Hopefully he does not have to, but if it does, hopefully he gets us across the line and wins us an incredible series," Root said at the press conference at the end of Day 4's play. Needing 324 runs to win on Day 4, England batters Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) made the difference as they stitched a stand of 195 runs for the fourth wicket. The partnership has seen England on course to a record chase, with them needing 35 more runs on the final day. While the hosts looked in command, it was late strikes from Indian bowlers in the final session of Day 4 that made matters interesting. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is) India need four more wickets to win the match, with Woakes being the final man. If India can take wickets in the early phase of Day 5, the hosts will be left with no option but to send Woakes out to bat. They currently lead the five-match series 2-1, meaning losing the match is not an option, while a draw is already out of their hands with just 35 runs needed on Day 5.

England are in pole position to win The Oval Test match after a superb batting display, however, they might still have to give an SOS to injured Chris Woakes, with the hosts having only four wickets in hand.&nbsp;

IND vs ENG: Root backs injured Woakes to bat as Oval Test set for thriller, says 'hopefully he gets us...'

The game can go either way despite England dominating with the bat on day four of the ongoing Oval Test. Joe Root and Harry Brook slammed stunning centuries; the Indian bowlers brought the touring side back in with late wickets before first bad light and then rain hampered proceedings, leaving England needing 35 runs with three wickets remaining to win this Test, considering injured Chris Woakes decides against coming out to bat. Bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton is at the crease alongside keeper-batter Jamie Smith, both of whom struggled against the reverse swing late on the fourth day.<h3>Tipsy-turvy day at the Oval &nbsp;</h3>Day four began with English openers Ben Duckett and the stand-in captain for this game, Ollie Pope, taking strides. Unlike how they approached batting in the first innings, switching to the Bazball mode, they deployed a cautious approach during the run chase. Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal did try to get under Duckett’s skin, which paid dividends as he played a wrong line, only to find the second slip fielder grabbing it. Mohammed Siraj then accounted for Pope, trapped in front of the wickets. &nbsp;That dismissal, however, brought Brook to the crease, who then made merry in the second session, putting England within touching distance of a massive win, a record run chase at this venue. His hundred, 10th so far in Tests and first in the fourth innings, pushed Root to his 39th in Tests, as the pair put India’s back against the wall. &nbsp;Just when they looked like taking this game away from India, especially considering how quickly Brook was scoring runs, Akash Deep removed the young batter for a brilliant 111 off just 98 balls that included 14 boundaries and two sixes. His wicket broke England’s momentum, as the Indian pacers pounced onto it, later removing Root on 105. &nbsp;Now, into the tail, with England a batter short, considering Woakes is out of the match with a shoulder injury, the English seemed to be on the back foot, with reverse swing doing wonders for India. However, before the visitors could make further inroads in the game, bad light and then rain stopped the play, bringing the fifth day into the picture.&nbsp;

England need 35 runs with three wickets remaining to win the fifth Test at the Oval and seal the series 3-1. 

The game can go either way despite England dominating with the bat on day four of the ongoing Oval Test. Joe Root and Harry Brook slammed stunning centuries; the Indian bowlers brought the touring side back in with late wickets before first bad light and then rain hampered proceedings, leaving England needing 35 runs with three wickets remaining to win this Test, considering injured Chris Woakes decides against coming out to bat. Bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton is at the crease alongside keeper-batter Jamie Smith, both of whom struggled against the reverse swing late on the fourth day. Tipsy-turvy day at the Oval Day four began with English openers Ben Duckett and the stand-in captain for this game, Ollie Pope, taking strides. Unlike how they approached batting in the first innings, switching to the Bazball mode, they deployed a cautious approach during the run chase. Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal did try to get under Duckett’s skin, which paid dividends as he played a wrong line, only to find the second slip fielder grabbing it. Mohammed Siraj then accounted for Pope, trapped in front of the wickets. That dismissal, however, brought Brook to the crease, who then made merry in the second session, putting England within touching distance of a massive win, a record run chase at this venue. His hundred, 10th so far in Tests and first in the fourth innings, pushed Root to his 39th in Tests, as the pair put India’s back against the wall. Just when they looked like taking this game away from India, especially considering how quickly Brook was scoring runs, Akash Deep removed the young batter for a brilliant 111 off just 98 balls that included 14 boundaries and two sixes. His wicket broke England’s momentum, as the Indian pacers pounced onto it, later removing Root on 105. Now, into the tail, with England a batter short, considering Woakes is out of the match with a shoulder injury, the English seemed to be on the back foot, with reverse swing doing wonders for India. However, before the visitors could make further inroads in the game, bad light and then rain stopped the play, bringing the fifth day into the picture.

England need 35 runs with three wickets remaining to win the fifth Test at the Oval and seal the series 3-1.&nbsp;

Oval Test: Day 5 to decide series fate as match hangs in balance after Root, Brook show

Here is a look at five teams with most runs in a single series of a Test series featuring Australia, India and England. India became the recent addition after their record-breaking 3809 runs against England in Anderson-Tendulkar series.

Here is a look at five teams with most runs in a single series of a Test series featuring Australia, India and England. India became the recent addition after their record-breaking 3809 runs against England in Anderson-Tendulkar series.

5 teams with the most runs in a single Test series

Here is a look at the five highest successful run chases in Tests at The Oval as India and England are set to play a thriller on Day 4 of the Oval Test. India need nine more wickets to win the match while England have another 324 runs to chase if they are to win.

Here is a look at the five highest successful run chases in Tests at The Oval as India and England are set to play a thriller on Day 4 of the Oval Test. India need nine more wickets to win the match while England have another 324 runs to chase if they are to win.

5 Highest successful run chases in Tests at The Oval