India clinched a thrilling victory in the fifth and final Test at The Oval by just six runs, leveling the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 series 2-2. KL Rahul, one of India’s senior-most players in the squad, reflected emotionally on the importance of the win. “Win means absolutely everything,” he said when asked by former cricketer Dinesh Karthik what the result meant to him. “I’ve played cricket for years. Won the Champions Trophy, seen the team lift the World Cup—of course nothing compares to winning the World Cup.”

India entered Day 5 needing to defend just 35 runs with four wickets remaining. Without Jasprit Bumrah, it was Mohammed Siraj who stepped up, claiming five wickets in the second innings to guide India home. Despite the series ending in a draw, Rahul called the tour “one of the highlights of Indian cricket,” emphasizing the significance of the final-day effort from a largely inexperienced squad.

Reflecting on the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin, who all retired earlier this year, Rahul admitted it was a strange feeling. “Yes, it hit me when I joined the team,” he said. “I was here about two weeks earlier playing for India A, and it didn't hit me back then, but once I joined the team and I looked around, I didn't have a Rohit, a Virat, or an Ashwin.”

KL Rahul steps up as senior in young Indian side

Rahul acknowledged the new role he had taken on in the team, as the youngsters around him looked up to him for advice and leadership. “That's when it hit me that everyone else is looking at me, coming to me to ask about English conditions, what they need to do, and how they need to prepare,” he said. “It’s time for me to help the younger guys, use all the experience I've had... and really put my hand up.”

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"It's time for me to help the younger guys" 🧠

KL Rahul on his role within the India side 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/ZJWi7yk1hP

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

See Also: [WATCH] ENG vs IND 5th Test: Mohammed Siraj’s final strike seals epic 6-run win for India in the Oval thriller

On a personal note, Rahul expressed satisfaction with his individual performance, scoring 532 runs in ten innings at an average of 53.20 — third-highest in the series. “The most important thing is for the openers to give the team a solid start… I was really focused and really wanted the series to go well for me.”