England vs India, 5th Test at London, ENG vs IND, Jul 31 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

A thoroughly engrossing end to a series that'll long be remembered. It was Gill's first as India's Test captain. There was no Kohli, Rohit or Ashwin. They won more sessions than they lost, took a few missteps along the way and squared the series. For England, Stokes returned as an allrounder, Archer was back after years and looked just as good. Duckett and Brook continue to peak and Root just has Tendulkar to go past to become the most prolific Test scorer. There's also been sledges, drama - often with Siraj carrying it, Pant and Woakes batting despite huge injuries that will long stay in people's memories. Thanks for being part of the ride. There'll be a lot more on the site, unpacking the series and savouring it all. Do check it out. For now, on behalf of everyone from Cricinfo who helped bring the action to you, it's thanks and goodbye.

Miller's day five report so that you can relive it all

Gill and Stokes will receive the Pataudi medal. They pose next to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and are applauded before Gill goes out to carry a stump and his champagne. He then goes out to join is team-mates for a picture.

Ben Stokes Difficult when you can't participate. Another hard-fought game. Both teams have put so much effort, amazing to be a part of. Bitterly disappointed we couldn't go over the line but very proud of the team. There was never a question in Woakes' mind about batting. We've had guys go out with broken foots, fingers, just shows what it takes to play for the country. The whole series has been awesome. There's always going to be moments where emotions are coming out. No one will be going to bed crying about what was said. I felt good, happy with how I went with the ball. Hopefully, all the injuries are behind me. Rehab starts now and the big one's coming in a few months. When one of your bowlers goes down so early in the game, the role of the other seamers changes. Even in the second innings, the heart and desire they showed was amazing. There were many what-ifs in the last five days, makes the game great, but all Brendon and I asked was to give it everything. Tongue, Atkinson and Overton showed it.

Shubman Gill India's POTS chosen by Brendon McCullum: The way both teams played was great. Came into the final days not knowing the result, showing both teams came with their A game. When you have bowlers like SIraj and Prasidh like that, captaincy looks easy. I think the way we responded today was magnificent. We were confident, even yesterday, we knew there under pressure. We wanted to make sure it stayed throughout. Siraj is a captain's dream. Gave it his all every ball and every spell he bowled. 2-2 is a fair reflection. It shows how passionate both teams were and how well they played. Very rewarding, my aim was to be the best batter this series and getting there is very satisfying. It's always a matter of sorting things out technically and mentally, they are correlated. Learnings from the last six week: We never give up

Harry Brook, England's POTS chosen by Gautam Gambhir: I thought we'll easily take it home in the morning, but the way Siraj bowled, he deserved the success today. I thought the pitch would be flatter after the roller. But it zipped around under cloud. But Siraj has had a phenomenal series and a finish. Woakes would always go out no matter what. Unfortunate we didn't get over the line. Was going really well when I Joe and I were batting. But this series has been full of ups and downs and the finish was fairly fitting. My mindset was to close the game as quick as possible. Hindsight is beautiful. I've played alright this series. Not able to win it is devastating. Happy to contribute as much as I have. It's been a very intense series, we've not left anything out there. Awesome series to be a part of. Great advert for Test cricket.

The drizzle continues as the POTS is announced. Will be one for each team, it's Brook for England.

Mohammed Siraj, POTM: I feel amazing because we fought hard from day one til now. My plan was to hit my areas consistently and build pressure. Everything from there was a bonus. When I woke up today, I thought I could do it. I downloaded a picture from Google saying 'believe.' I thought the Brook drop was a game-changing moment. If it had been taken, we might not have come out today. But the way he attacked, hats off to him. Lord's was heartbreaking, Jaddu bhai told me to back my defence and remember my dad and do it for him.

Time for the presentations.

Anwar: "Those few sixes from Washi!!!"

Rishav: "So India won those matches whenever Bumrah didn't play this series. "

Hugs and grins continue as Gill goes around the support staff. Even Gambhir is joyed. Stokes congratulates Siraj.

12pm India take a lap around the ground. Massive cheers for Siraj who soaks it all in after an unreal finish. He's not let go of the match ball. A stump's there as a souvenir. He's closed out one of India's greatest Test wins. The series, which has been contested so closely, ends 2-2. Countless what-ifs but reality has surged past them with waves of drama. The final day lasted under ten overs but packed the action that entire series wish they could. It encapsulated this one with Siraj taking over as the leader. He chucked the wobble seam for swing, hit 90mph, beat the bat as regularly as he did yesterday and topped it with wickets. Overton started the day with two boundaries but were then hit by Siraj. Chris Woakes came out to bat in a sling, didn't face a ball but literally ran through the pain and did everything right to keep Atkinson on strike. He did that, but in the end, it was Siraj who had the final say with a yorker for the ages.

Paul Neville: "Heroic stuff from Woakes, and England should be given credit for taking the match so close with a player short. Overall the series deserves to be drawn."

Gitanshu: "This has been a better series than the 2005 Ashes! Any day! The sea-saw, the fight, the climax and the result! "

Mohanan: "Fitting end to such a hard fought series. Spare a thought to Harry Brook and Chris Woakes."

KL Rahul: Win means absolutely everything. I've played cricket for years. Won Champions Trophy, seen the team lift the world cup. Nothing compares to that. But so many questions about whether Test cricket stays or not, but both answered that question here with the way we've played. We weren't given a chance but we've fought in every game and get 2-2, might be a draw, but for Indian Test cricket, this will rank right at the top and this is where change begins. Indian Test team will win a lot many things and more series. Not having Rohit, Virat, Ashwin hit me two weeks in. Everyone was coming to me to ask about English conditions. Then it hit me I've stepped into a different role now. Gill's been phenomenal, led from the front. He's formed connections, he's done that. Tactically good, changes have gotten us wickets. He'll go on to become a good Test captain.

Mohammed Siraj: My only plan was to bowl good areas. Didn't matter if I took wickets or went for runs. (Thoughts after Brook drop) I didn't think I'd touch the cushion when I took it. It was a match-changing moment. Brook got into T20 moment. We were behind the game after that but thank god. I always believe that I can win the game from any point, and did to the morning.

That was surprising. India could've had a go at Woakes or at least tempted Atkinson to clear the infield but let him get away easy

Jurel's glove's off. Field still out though, not sure why

Woakes now comes down to chat with Atkinson

Another chat between bowler and captain. Takes a while. Keeps the fielders out with two balls to go.

Evan : "* Yawn * This Test cricket malarkey is SO boring - I can barely stay awake. Wake me up when something happens!!"

durga: "Atkinson has to do all things in this over."

Just ten to win now. Short boundaryleg side. Prasidh

Vish informs that Woakes' hand has come off the sling and that the umpire is helping him

Sole slip

Gill runs forward and has a word with Siraj. Two to go in the over. There are still open gaps in the field

Oh boy, Woakes walks out but how will he bat? His left arm is hidden inside his jumper. The right arm's strapped, the sling is in place. He literally has to bat with one hand. This looks scary. Will be Atkinson on strike for now. Siraj to bowl. 17 needed to win, one wicket for India.

Pete: "I feel this was inevitable..."

Bhuvan: "What a bluff from Krishna. Sending the third man back signalling a hook shot(signalling a short ball) and bowling a yorker"

Field still out

India in front right now. Prasidh hasn't been as good as Siraj but isn't trying too many things. In-out field

Gill tweaks the field