The former England captain, Joe Root, has landed India's efforts to draw the five-match Test series in the United Kingdom by a 2-2 margin, having won the fifth and final clash of the series at the Kennington Oval in South London, despite the tourists feeling the absence of two of their most experienced campaigners, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Both decide to hang up their shoes from the red-ball format in a span of just one week before the trip. That left the national side under tremendous pressure due to the lack of experience, as the board decided to appoint Shubman Gill their new captain for the longest format. India went on to win two games in London and Birmingham, besides drawing the Manchester encounter during the seven-week series.

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“It was a fantastic and tough India series. They were great players, and they were always going to produce so many great players across formats. I think it goes under the radar that they lost the quality and experience in Rohit and Virat, going into a series abroad in conditions where they both had success, and then still to perform as well as they did was really impressive.” Joe Root expressed on Stick to cricket.

Watch: Joe Root lauds India’s impressive performance in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s absence

One of the incredible aspects of the series was how Shubman batted throughout the series, collecting over 750 runs in five games. And Root was incredible in the way he also captained the side in the veterans’ absence.

"To lose Virat and Rohit but still perform was very impressive" 🙌

Joe Root gives credit to India after their Test performance 👏

📺 Watch now on YouTube or listen on all major podcast platforms. pic.twitter.com/iLK4SA6R2H

— Stick to Cricket (@StickToCricket) September 10, 2025

“For Shubman Gill- First series as captain, I thought not only did he bat well, but I think he led the side really well. Ashwin also retired. He might not have the same impact in England that he perhaps had in other places, but he is still a very experienced player. It will be thrilling to play such a high-quality team.”

“Going for five days and getting tested in different ways, you know, not only skill-wise but mentally and physically being able to call the reserves and understand how you can wrestle the momentum back in your favor. Everything seemed to be going one way and then the other, and it was pretty good.” Root concluded.

It has been nearly a month since the end of the five-match Test series of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England, where the visitors’ famous victory during the fifth fixture at the Kennington Oval in South London pushed the series to end with a 2-2 margin as the players from both camps showed extreme aggression. 

On the second day of the fixture, Prasidh Krishna welcomed Joe Root with a few words from his end, as the legendary England batter didn’t take that lightly and charged at the Karnataka pacer aggressively. Root didn’t hold back in the verbal exchanges as he was a teammate of Krishan for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

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“It’s a great gesture that, you know, you spend some time with each other, having fought in such a tough series. I did go and speak to most of them, and with Root as well. I asked him what happened. He said, I thought you abused me, whereas I said No. And he said ‘I actually wanted to get myself up and going as well, so I had to pump myself up.” Krishna expressed in a video, as ESPNcricinfo revealed.

Watch: Prasidh Krishan reveals story of heated altercation with Joe Root from 5th Oval Test

The lanky fast bowler from England has overall picked up 22 wickets in 11 Test innings at an average of 34.36 and a strike rate of 43.6, with the help of 4/62 in an innings. In that Oval Test, the right-arm pacer bagged eight wickets during the Oval Test to give the Indian team a fine platform for the win.

Wonderful words for Joe Root 🙌 pic.twitter.com/qDjyUzDipl

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 5, 2025

“But I think that’s what I love about the sport. That’s the way I have played it all. And to see everybody, to see the legend out there even today putting it all there, fighting it out for the team.” Krishna added.

“I think that’s for everybody to learn that you are out there to fight, you’re out there to win the battles. And sometimes, it takes a lot more than just the skill and takes a lot of mental grit for you to be part of the journey.” The 29-year-old addressed on ESPNcricinfo.

The former Indian captain and the opening batter, Sunil Gavaskar, raised his voice a few days ago on Jasprit Bumrah getting managed for his workload by the BCCI selectors. His statement came after the Ahmedabad-born missed the fifth and final red-ball clash against England at Kennington Oval.

Gavaskar now wants the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee to avoid Bumrah’s services for the bilateral white-ball series in Australia and the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. He desires to see the Ahmedabad-born in full rhythm for the upcoming two-match home Test series against the West Indies in October. The former opener still felt that Bumrah could have played the fifth Oval affair.

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“Nobody is indispensable. That’s why it is of prime importance for the selectors to now decide when Jasprit Bumrah should be playing. There's already been a lot of debate about his appearances in the recently concluded series in England. To be fair, he had informed the selection committee that he could play only three Tests out of the five.” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-day.

Sunil Gavaskar wants India to rest Jasprit Bumrah for white-ball bilateral series  

The Ahmedabad-born has picked up 219 Test wickets in 91 innings at an average of under 20 and a strike rate of 42.6 with the help of 15 five-wicket hauls at the best figures of 6/27 in an innings. During the England trip, the right-arm pacer earned 14 wickets in three games, including two fifers.

“The debate that has generated some heat is whether he should have played the last must-win Test match, especially since it was the grassiest pitch at the Oval in a long time. The next Test match was in early October, and so there were two clear months for him to rest and recover in time for that. The Indian team management stated that he wasn't picked considering his future.” The Mumbai-born addressed.

“That's why now comes the tricky decision for the selectors. What is more important? Qualifying for the World Test Championship or playing some bilateral white ball games, which have no bearing at all. If India has to qualify for the WTC, then Jasprit Bumrah, being the premier fast bowler in the game, has to play in the four Tests that India have lined up between early October and late November.” Gavaskar concluded.

Former Indian spinner, Harbhajan Singh, has broken his silence on the management handling the workload of their premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 in England. Even before they travelled to England, the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, revealed that the Ahmedabad-born would feature in only three red-ball clashes of the seven-week trip.

Bumrah ended with 14 wickets in three outings, including a couple of five-wicket hauls during the opening and third red-ball fixture at Leeds and Lord’s. Several former players have given their view on the Pacers’ fitness, and how the Indian side would need to take its toll during vital games of various trips. The former off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh, shed light.

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“I don't know how much pain he (Jasprit Bumrah) is suffering from. But what I do know is that he is a very honest man. He knows about his body. He knows how much load his body can take and how much it can't. He has just come back after an injury. A lot of them are asking what workload means.” Harbhajan Singh expressed to The Times of India.

Harbhajan Singh breaks silence on Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management post ENG vs IND 2025 Test series

The Hyderabad-born Mohammed Siraj picked up nine wickets during the series decider of the fifth and final red-ball clash at the Kennington Oval in South London. Harbhajan highlighted the physical toll on the fast bowlers, revealing that Siraj won’t be able to do it continuously, as he would keep playing.  

“Workload means when a bowler like Bumrah bowls on his own, like he did in Australia. That is called workload because he is taking the load of others as well. Siraj did it recently, but he can't do that for a whole year. There can come a series when you feel like you need to put in the extra effort and need to take a toll on the body.” Harbhajan Singh addressed.

“Bumrah did that in Australia, and in the end, he broke down. Siraj took it as well, and let's hope that he does not break down. I think a player's honesty is most important in this regard.” He added during the interaction as India drew the series at 2-2.

The former Indian head coach, Ravi Shastri, has lauded the young Indian star batter and the captain of the longest format, Shubman Gill, for his incredible run of batting during the recently concluded five-match Test series in England, which the visitors went on to draw 2-2.

Shubman Gill finished 754 runs in the 10 innings at an average of 75.40 and a strike rate of 65.56 with the help of four centuries at the best score of 269 runs during the second encounter at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The right-handed batter was under immense pressure after landing in the country.

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“No question, Shubman Gill. He’ll be around for a long, long time because we’ve seen what kind of series he’s had here. I think he’s only 25 years of age, and as you know, with this exposure, he’ll get even better. He’s right up there. He’ll be up there. He’s composed. He’s very regal. The way he bats, he’s very easy on the eye, very fluent and can play the long innings.” Ravi Shastri commented on Sky Sports Cricket.

Watch: Ravi Shastri labels this player as 'rising star' for India

Shubman had a career Test average of around 35 before the start of the trip. Now, he has smashed an overall 2647 runs in 69 innings at an average of 41.35 and a strike rate of 61.42, with the help of nine centuries and seven half-centuries at the best score of 269, which was followed by 150+ in the second innings of the Edgbaston fixture.

"The way he bats, he's very easy on the eye" ✨

Ravi Shastri believes Shubman Gill will be 'around for a long time' 🤩 pic.twitter.com/WuYN8B5R3g

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 14, 2025

When Gill came onto the scene, he was compared to Virat Kohli’s skills with the bat. Those are huge shoes to fill in for the Punjab-born, who, however, was decent in his first Test series as captain in making some vital decisions to change the momentum of the game.

Now, the reports have claimed that the Gujarat Titans’ captain could qualify to feature in the Asia Cup 2025 squad for the defending champions. If he gets into the side, then he might end up shouldering the responsibility of the vice-captaincy in the national side.

The former World Cup winner for India, Yuvraj Singh, has responded to how the Indian Test captain, Shubman Gill, has brushed aside the doubts on his overseas batting record and led the side to a drawn series of 2-2 margin in England. Gill smacked 754 runs at an average of 75.40 from five games with the help of four centuries.

India lost the opening game at Leeds in Headingley before earning a huge victory by 336 runs at Edgbaston in Birmingham. They couldn’t hold their nerve during the close Lord’s Test but drew the fourth Manchester Test. At Kennington Oval, they earned a close six-run victory.

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“There were a lot of question marks over his overseas record. The guy became the captain and scored four Test hundreds. It's just unbelievable that when you're given responsibility, how you take it. So, very proud of them. I certainly feel it's a win for us, although it's a drawn series, because it's a young team. And it's not easy to go and play well in England and prove yourself.” Yuvraj Singh expressed on ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 event.

Yuvraj Singh lauds India stars after England vs India 2025 Test series

Yuvraj also praised the two spin all-rounder, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja, besides explaining how they showed their resilience in the absence of two veterans, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom retired from the longest format of the game.

The moment in the tournament was when India drew the Test series. I've never seen, in a very long time, Washington and Jadeja get hundreds and draw a Test match. That speaks volumes. Jadeja has been there for a long time. But I think Washington Sundar, as a youngster coming into the team, I think it was incredible to do what he did.” The southpaw addressed.

“I think it's just fantastic because I felt when you have a young team going to England, it's a lot of pressure. You're filling the boots of somebody like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma; it's not easy. I think the guys took it head-on.” Yuvraj Singh concluded.

We just experienced an unforgettable Test series between the hosts England and the visitors India, the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. It was the five-match Test series, where both teams never gave up without putting up their last fight, as the series ended in a 2-2 draw. Recently, former English cricketers Michael Atherton and Naseer Hussain spoke about the series and compared it to one of the greatest Test series the Ashes 2005. 

Ashes 2005 is a great example of Test cricket

Ashes 2005 is known as one of the greatest Test series in history, which the hosts England won by 2-1 to end their 16-year drought for the Ashes urn. It was a series of legends and high-quality battles in every moment. While it is hard to find a competitive Test series like the Ashes 2005, especially a long Test series, the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 has impressed many cricket experts.

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England vs India Test series 2025: Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025

In the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, both England and India gave everything for the series. Those battles were so intense that the injured cricketers Rishabh Pant and Chris Woakes couldn't put themselves out of the game. 

Former English captain Naseer Hussain recently asked his long-time Test teammate Michael Atherton, where the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 could challenge the Ashes 2005, which some have felt. In reply, Atherton refused to agree on it, but he also said that the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 would be one of the best series since the Ashes 2005. Atherton further added that the Ashes 2005 was a higher quality Test series, which can't be compared easily. 

Atherton said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, "No, I don't think the quality was as good as 2005. I don't think I'll see a better series than the 2005 Ashes. I just think one team on the rise, one great team on the decline, an emerging team, absolutely great players at the top of their game. But I think probably the best series since '05. I mean, the 2023 Ashes was a fantastic Ashes, wasn't it? But I probably put this one as the best series since 2005 because of those dramatic moments like Woakes and Rishabh Pant and the way the series twisted and turned. So I reckon probably the best series that I've covered since '05."

Nasser and Athers debate whether the recent England vs India series was as good as The 2005 Ashes? 💭 pic.twitter.com/zdnzqvBb6q

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 13, 2025

Gautam Gambhir, the Indian head coach, earned so much success in the white-ball format, including the home T20I series victory against England, besides lifting the title in the Champions Trophy 2025 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, he hadn’t got the same joy in the longest format of the game, including two successive red-ball series defeats.

In his coaching, India lost their first home Test series since 2012 against England before facing another red-ball series defeat against Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 down under by a 4-1 margin. However, it was a decent performance from them to draw the series in England, as the spin all-rounder, Washington Sundar, highlighted his coaching skills.

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“He also had No. 5 on the back of his jersey (like me). And obviously, he was an extremely elegant left-hander. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was bowling to him in the IPL. He was super successful against me, but he is an amazing human being.” Sundar expressed during a recent interview on Wisden.

Washington Sundar comments on Gautam Gambhir's coaching during ENG vs IND 2025 Test series

Sundar smashed a fine knock of 101 runs during the second innings of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester, which helped them draw the clash. Later, in the second innings of the Oval Test, the left-handed batter drilled 53 runs to set a target for the home side, which they eventually went on to win by six runs.

“He has had so much faith in all of us that we would fight at all times and win the game. Glad to see him happy at the end of the series. Credit to them for having such a calm dressing room throughout the series. Their communication was precise and clear on what was expected.” The Tamil Nadu spinner revealed.

There were several criticisms of Gambhir, regarding his team selection, on why he didn’t pick Kuldeep Yadav for the entire series and kept on going with all-rounders. But at the end of the series, it worked and they drew the series 2-2 margin despite being 2-1 down after the third encounter at Lord’s.

Even though more than a week has passed since the fifth and final Test between England and India at the Kennington Oval in South London, the hangover of the tourists’ victory is yet to get over as they drew the series by a 2-2 margin. At a point when Joe Root and Harry Brook were going through a dominating and strong partnership in the fourth innings, India's victory looked quite impossible. 

However, a report has claimed that during the opening day of the fixture, India’s throwdown specialist, Raghu, played the Shri Shiv Rudrashtakam in the dressing room to uplift the Blue Brigade’s spirits when they were in a difficult situation. The team was at a struggling position of 38/2, as the atmosphere was heavy.

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Rudrashtakam is a prayer dedicated to Lord Shiva and is generally played to boost morale and prove the positive influence during a challenging period. It occurred during the final game of the series when India faced an uphill battle after a poor start with the ball.  

Know how Shri Shiv Rudrashtakam Stotra contributed to India’s victory during ENG vs IND 5th Test

The Rudrashtakam, which begins with the verse ‘Namamishamisshan nirvana Rupam,’ is believed to have had a calming and inspiring effect on the Indian players. It helped them to regroup and ultimately contribute to their comeback and series victory. Raghu’s gesture was the source of inspiration for the side during a crucial moment in the encounter.

The visitors scored 224 runs in the first innings after they lost the toss on a green surface. Karun Nair was the leading run-getter of the first innings with 57 runs in 109 balls, with the help of eight boundaries. The home side was on track to gain a good lead until the Indian bowlers showed their excellence with the ball.

In the third innings, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s century and a fine 53-run knock in 46 balls from Washington Sundar set the stage for the visitors’ victory. But it still looked next to impossible, before Mohammed Siraj’s fifth morning spell of three wickets claimed the win as he ended with figures of 5/104 in 30.1 overs.  

The five-match Test series of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy (ATT) 2025 between England and India has broken several digital platforms in viewership on JioHotstar. Over 170 million viewers tuned in to enjoy the seven-week event, making it the most-watched red-ball series on any digital platform.

The reports have also claimed that the fifth and final day of the fifth Test between the two sides at the Kennington Oval in South London saw it hitting a peak of 13 million concurrent views, while the entire series bagged 65 billion minutes of watch time. This just shows the growth of Test cricket between two equal sides as India marked their entry in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 for the very first time to start a new cycle.

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“The extraordinary response to India's tour of England reinforced Test cricket's ability to forge compelling narratives in almost every session of every match. Reaching over 170 million viewers and setting new concurrency records is a testament not just to the thrilling cricket, but also to our commitment to delivering an immersive storytelling and viewing experience.” Siddarth Sharma, the head of Content-Sports, JioHotstar, expressed.

Viewership records created during England vs India 2025 Test series

The five-match Test series is now the most-viewed red-ball series on digital platforms, while the fifth Kennington Oval Test was the most-watched red-ball clash on digital platforms. On the fifth day of the encounter, it displayed the highest peak concurrency on digital for a five-day game.

The opening clash of the series at Leeds in Headingley saw the home side taking a 1-0 lead as they chased 373 runs with five wickets in hand in the fourth innings, despite the Indian team putting several individual centuries on the board in the first innings. The tourists made a strong comeback of a 336-run victory at Edgbaston before the home side got their lead back at Lord’s by 22 runs.

The fourth Test of the series at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester was drawn after the visitors showed an incredible batting performance with several centuries, especially the two knocks from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. In the fifth Test, it was Mohammed Siraj who bailed them out of trouble to end the series at 2-2.