The untold story of how Gautam Gambhir risked 4 WTC points to secure India’s Oval victory

On the fifth morning at The Oval, as the Indian team was strategising for victory, match referee Jeff Crowe sent a message that they were six overs behind schedule. He warned that if the over rate was not improved, India would be docked four World Test Championship (WTC) points unless they bowled England out. This was India’s first series of the WTC cycle, and having missed last year’s final, these four points were deemed crucial. The warning prompted a crucial strategy meeting inside the dressing room.

In the meeting, attended by captain Shubman Gill, head coach Gautam Gambhir, assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak, and others, one member suggested using both spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, after Prasidh Krishna’s over to improve the rate. While this could have fixed the over rate, it risked giving English batters Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton an opportunity to score quickly in the absence of pace bowlers. Such a move could have shifted momentum towards England and potentially jeopardised India’s chances of winning the match.

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According to sources, coach Gautam Gambhir firmly stated that he was not concerned about the over rate, insisting that the priority was to play for victory, even if it meant losing four WTC points. It was then decided to continue the attack with Prasidh Krishna from one end and Mohammed Siraj from the other. Captain Shubman Gill agreed with this aggressive approach, and the strategy paid off. India eventually secured the win, sacrificing over rate management for the ultimate prize, a crucial Test victory.

England and India levelled the series 2-2

The 2025 England vs India Test series was a fiercely contested five-match affair that ended in a 2-2 stalemate. England started strong with a five-wicket win at Headingley, but India roared back at Edgbaston, claiming victory by a massive 336-run margin. The third Test at Lord’s saw England edge home by 22 runs in another tense finish, putting them ahead once more. India responded with resilience in the final Test at The Oval, clinching a dramatic six-run win. The fourth Test at Old Trafford had ended in a draw, setting up the thrilling series finale.

Shubman Gill was the standout performer with the bat, amassing an outstanding 754 runs, including four centuries, to top the series charts. Mohammed Siraj led India’s bowling attack with precision and aggression, finishing as the highest wicket-taker with 23 scalps. Their individual brilliance was instrumental in India’s fightback and eventual series-levelling performance. The evenly balanced scoreline reflected the intensity and quality of cricket on display, making the series one of the most gripping and evenly fought contests between England and India in recent memory.