At that time, it was a near impossible task to do. Sunil Gavaskar narrowly missed one of the biggest upsets in Indian cricket history. When India needed 438 runs, Gavaskar played a 221-run knock against all odds.

In their home ground, at The Oval, England was easily the favorite team to win the game, especially when they had bowlers like Bob Willis, Ian Botham, and Mike Hendrick. England got the advantage they were looking for when Team India batted poorly in the first innings against England's first innings of 305. In reply, the touring team was able to register only 202 runs on the board.

In the following innings, the host nation scored 334 runs for 8 wickets and set 438 runs as the target for India to win the match. The first three batters of India's batting order started the run chase strongly, as Chetan Chauhan got 80 and Dilip Vengsarkar struck a 52-run innings.

Read More: BCCI under scanner for special treatment of Virat Kohli in fitness assessment

India was only 10 runs away 

But it was the 'little master,' Sunil Gavaskar, who was on a mission to pull out one of the most astonishing wins in the history of cricket. Only for a few inches, England found itself in the safe zone. The hard-fought match settled for a draw. If India were able to score 10 more runs, then the result of the match would be different. To create the fighting 221-run innings, Gavaskar faced 443 balls and smashed 21 boundaries. 

Later, recalling the match, Yajurvindra Singh, the Indian No. 7 in the match, said that Gavaskar, then his roommate, said that evening that the wicket was so good that India was in with a chance. 

England vs India, 4th Test, The Oval, August 30 - September 04, 1979:

England: 305 and 334/8d

India: (T:438) 202 & 429/8

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has appealed to the cricketing community to avoid blaming players for participating in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, despite rising tensions with Pakistan. He emphasised that the athletes should not be held responsible for political or security concerns surrounding the tournament.

Gavaskar’s comments come amid calls to boycott the event following a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which tragically claimed the lives of several tourists. The incident sparked widespread discussions on whether players should take part in matches involving Pakistan, given the sensitive security situation.

The discussion gained more traction after two scheduled India vs Pakistan games in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) were called off, further fueling the ongoing debate. Several former players, including Shikhar Dhawan and Harbhajan Singh, refused to play, highlighting the controversy.

See Also: “All of the UK has complained….”- Former Indian cricketer shares fun behind the scenes moments of India vs England series

Sunil Gavaskar urges fans not to fault players’ Asia Cup participation:

Sunil Gavaskar stressed that current players deserve respect for focusing on cricket and representing their nation professionally, without facing undue criticism. So, he emphasized that Indian team players do not make such decisions themselves. 

They strictly follow instructions issued by the BCCI and the Indian government, having no personal role in determining participation in events like the Asia Cup.

Gavaskar said, “ If the government has taken a call, I don't see how the players can be criticised or commented upon, because the players at the end of the day are contracted to the BCCI and they will be taking the instructions from the government of India. And so it entirely depends on that.”

He further said, “ The players are helpless in this. They've been selected to play in the Asia Cup, and if the government says you have to play, then they will go out and play. If the government says you don't, then the BCCI will act accordingly.”

When questioned about whether Indian players should withdraw from matches against Pakistan, Gavaskar clarified that such decisions rest solely with the Indian government, and the team will follow whatever directive is issued. He added, “ Like I said, it is entirely up to the government of India to tell the BCCI what to do.”

India’s Road in Asia Cup 2025:

India will begin their Asia Cup 2025 journey against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai. India’s eagerly awaited showdown with Pakistan will be played on September 14 in Dubai, followed by their final group stage fixture against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.

After the group stage, the Asia Cup 2025 will move into the Super 4 phase, where the leading two teams from each group qualify. Should India secure the top spot in Group A, all their Super 4 fixtures are scheduled to be played in Dubai, giving them consistent conditions throughout this crucial stage of the tournament.

If India ends up second in Group A, they will play one Super 4 match in Abu Dhabi, while the remaining two fixtures will still be hosted in Dubai. The Super 4 stage runs from September 20 to 26, with the final scheduled in Dubai on September 28.

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.

See Also: Former India selector backs young IPL stars as India's openers for Asia Cup 2025

“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.

After the tireless Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, where the new Indian Test captain Shubman Gill won the Player of the Series award for India after ending the series as the leading run-scorer, he isn't taking a long rest, as he is ready to lead North Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2025-26. Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar reacted to this latest news.

It was quite surprising that the Indian Test captain Shubman Gill decided to play the Duleep Trophy 2025-26, where he will lead North Zone, and they will start the tournament from the Quarter-final round with the match against East Zone. The 25-year-old cricketer scored 754 runs in 10 innings in the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 in England with the help of four centuries, including one double-hundred. As that five-match Test series was a very busy schedule, which India drew 2-2, Gill's presence in the upcoming Duleep Trophy was quite unexpected, which will start from August 28. 

[WATCH] Michael Vaughan reposts viral video to mock his running between the wickets

The Indian skipper is sending the right signal: Sunil Gavaskar on Shubman Gill's presence in Duleep Trophy

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar is very happy with Gill's decision to appear in the Duleep Trophy. The former Indian captain believes that it sends the right signal to the entire team. 

In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar expressed his feeling by writing, “Shubman Gill, captaining the North Zone team, is a massive shot in the arm for this tournament. By being available, the Indian skipper is sending the right signal to the other members of the team. It would have been understandable if, after a gruelling tour where five Test matches were crammed into a little over six weeks, he had opted to rest."

The fast bowlers not playing is good thinking: Sunil Gavaskar

On the other hand, the Indian fast bowlers, who were present in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, are mostly not playing in the upcoming Duleep Trophy season. Gavaskar feels it is a sensible decision that these pacers will not be present in the forthcoming Zonal tournament. 

Gavaskar added, “The fast bowlers not playing is good thinking, as it has been an unusually hot summer in England, thanks to global warming, and their energies must have been expended after the untiring spells they bowled throughout the series.” 

As the Indian national team players are prioritizing domestic cricket, it is massive news. Last season, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, etc., returned to the Ranji Trophy. While India failed to reach the Final of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, after reaching the first two Finals and finishing as the runners-up on both occasions, the Indian red-ball team now seems serious and desperate to participate in the next ICC WTC Final to get a chance to win it for the first time. 

Sunil Gavaskar erupted in joy in the commentary box, showing his white jacket, a lucky jacket. It was the same jacket that Gavaskar used during the Gabba Test and now at The Oval. Two famous victories, one white jacket. When Team India was celebrating at the middle of the ground after bowling out Gus Atkinson, the last hope for the home team, Gavaskar was then doing his commentary work with Cheteshwar Pujara.

The vibe inside the commentary box got more cheerful when Gavaskar grabbed the mic and, in a most pumped-up manner, said that he promised India captain Shubman Gill that he would wear the lucky jacket if India got to win. And India won. Won in a most dramatic fashion. 

Day 5 lasted only about one hour before Mohammed Siraj plucked the last scalp of the England cricket team. England was by far the favorite to win the match and the series when Joe Root and Harry Brook were batting in the middle. The moment shifted suddenly after the dismissal of Brook and the Root. England's lower-order batting collapsed.

Read More: [WATCH] KL Rahul & Shubman Gill respect Injured Chris Woakes in 5th Test vs England

Watch the exciting moment of Sunil Gavaskar in the commentary box

SUNNY G WITH HIS LUCKY JACKET
HE ALSO WORE IT AT GABBA #INDvsEND #INDvsENG #ENGvIND #TestCricket #MohammedSiraj #ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/NQRj2HryYf

— INDIAN (@indian_Cricket4) August 4, 2025

Mohammed Siraj came over the stumps and delivered a yorker straight like an arrow, aimed at the off stump. Gus Atkinson went low and tried to drag it to the leg side with a sweep shot but missed, and the ball uprooted the off stump. Siraj completed a 5-for in this innings. India won the match by 6 runs and shaped the scoreline of the 5-match Anderson-Tendulkar trophy to 2-2. 

After Day 4, the home team needed only 35 runs to win, with still 4 wickets in hand. In the end, the men in blue emerged as the winner of the match. 

Joe Root played another brilliant innings, scoring his 39th Test hundred and proving once again why he’s one of the best in the modern game. On Day 4 of the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval, he reached the milestone in 137 balls, guiding England closer to a big series win.

It was a special moment. With “Rooooooot” echoing around the ground, the 34‑year‑old tucked the ball towards long leg, ran two, lifted his bat to the dressing room, then pulled out a headband and pointed to the sky in tribute to Graham Thorpe.

 His proud parents stood in the stands, applauding their son. This was Root’s 13th hundred against India the most by any batter going past Steve Smith’s 11. He also overtook Kumar Sangakkara’s tally of 38 Test centuries, now standing behind only Sachin Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis (45), and Ricky Ponting (41). Root also became the first player to score more than 6,000 runs in the World Test Championship. In his 69 WTC matches, he has 21 hundreds and 23 fifties, showing unmatched consistency.

Chasing 374 to win the series 3‑1, Root took charge after Harry Brook’s quick 111. He reached his fifty with a neat push to deep backward square leg and kept finding the gaps, frustrating India’s bowlers. His calm approach and smart batting kept England in control. His hundred put him level with Sunil Gavaskar for most Test hundreds against one team (13), with only Don Bradman’s 19 against England ahead. In all formats, it was his 16th century against India, matching Steve Smith.

Root’s knock also added to the record for most hundreds in a five‑Test series 21 in total equalling the 1955 Australia vs West Indies series. It was not just another century; it showed once again his ability to shine in big moments and take the game away from the opposition. He finally fell to Prasidh Krishna for 105 in the last ball of the 73rd over, but by then, England were well on their way to sealing the series.

ALSO READ: Most 50+ scores in Test history: Sachin Tendulkar leads a legendary list

Twitter reactions after Joe Root Brings Up 39th Test Ton

For Thorpey ❤️

An incredible touch of class from Joe Root after reaching his 39th Test century. #BBCCricket #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/AxK7atPsP0

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) August 3, 2025

TEST CENTURY NO. 39 FOR JOE ROOT! 💯

England's greatest just keeps delivering! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/ys1e4ydkSu

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 3, 2025

𝐉𝐨𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭’𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💪

His 39th Test ton comes under pressure — but the English maestro makes it look effortless! 🤍🏟️💯#JoeRoot #Tests #ENGvIND #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/HbyfaPlw3R

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 3, 2025

𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐛𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 — 𝐉𝐨𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👑

Another ton in the bag — his 39th and counting... 🤍💯

When Root's at the crease, royalty meets reliability! 👌✨#JoeRoot #Tests #ENGvIND #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/FtEtuR3UDt

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 3, 2025

39th Test century for Joe Root and this one is a tribute to Graham Thorpe 💙 pic.twitter.com/pFWASyzfbG

— AYESHA (@JoeRoot66Fan) August 3, 2025

Test hundred No.39 for Joe Root 🙌#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/Jta75JjnS0

— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) August 3, 2025

Joe Root gets to three figures once again, 39 Test tons now, and a jaw-dropping 13 against India! 🔥

Along with Harry Brook, he’s not just anchoring this chase… he’s dominating it 🙇‍♂️#JoeRoot #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/VZDMMQ39M8

— OneCricket (@OneCricketApp) August 3, 2025

The third day of the fifth Test in the five-match Test series between England and India at the Kennington Oval was built with an anticipation of the Indian captain Shubman Gill breaking the record of Sunil Gavaskar, who has the most runs for India in a red-ball series. Gill finished 20 runs short of the record, where Gavaskar got 774 runs in the West Indies.

Shubman Gill has now topped the list of most runs for a visiting captain in a Test series, overtaking Garry Sobers’ 722 runs in 1966. The Punjab-born became the first visiting captain to hit four Test centuries in a series. At Edgbaston, he thumped the second most runs in a Test match with 430, under Graham Gooch’s 466 runs.

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‘You know, in anticipation of him going past my record, I got something for him. But, I mean, this is all in God’s hands. However, 754 runs is fantastic. The difference is that the 754 runs have come in addition to the captaincy. Mine was different. I was a baby in the team. It would not have mattered. If I failed, nobody would have given a hoot about me.’ Sunil Gavaskar expressed on Sony Sports.

Watch: Sunil Gavaskar comments on Shubman Gill’s 754 runs during ENG vs IND 2025 Test series

‘But to be the captain, and score 750+ runs, and those 750+ runs are making a difference to his side’s fortune. That was special. Don’t go by those 20 runs. Just see what those 754 runs have done for Indian cricket.’ He added on the Indian captain, who became the first player to hit a double century and a 150+ score in a Test match.

Sunil Gavaskar about Shubman Gill's 754 runs series.#SunilGavaskar #ShubmanGill #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/vVQOkZYq7A

— R 🤍 (@cricketnbooks) August 3, 2025

Gill became the fourth player to hit 700+ runs in a Test series without a fifty. His 269 runs at Edgbaston were also the highest score for an Indian captain in the longest format. Gill is also the third Indian captain to hit twin centuries in a Test match, along with Gavaskar and Virat Kohli.

Gill became the fifth player to score a double in Tests and ODIs, and he now has the highest individual score of 269 at number four. He also ended as the third Indian captain to hit twin centuries in a Test match alongside Gill and Gavaskar.

Sunil Gavaskar presented a heartfelt gesture to Indian captain Shubman Gill after the conclusion of Day 3 of the fifth Test against England on Saturday (August 2). The legendary former cricketer gifted Gill a shirt with the "SG" initials and a special cap, hoping the young skipper would one day surpass his longstanding record. Gill, who has led from the front in his first series as captain, has impressed with the bat, accumulating 754 runs in 10 innings at an average of 75.40, including four centuries.

Gill's standout innings came at Edgbaston, where his commanding 269 laid the foundation for India’s biggest overseas win by a margin of 336 runs. However, despite the stellar form, he narrowly missed breaking Gavaskar’s historic tally of 774 runs in a single Test series. That record was set by Gavaskar during the 1970-71 tour of the West Indies, where he scored four centuries in just four matches at an incredible average of 154.80.

Sony Sports Network shared a clip of their exchange on X, capturing the touching moment. Gavaskar told Gill:
"Well done, I had gotten a gift for you in anticipation of going past [me]. But, at least you got something to aim for in the next series. This is just a little gift; it's a shirt with 'SG' initials. Someone made it for me, but I am giving it to you. I don't know if it will fit you. This is a little cap, which I give to very few people with my signature. All the best, and god bless."

Gavaskar praises Gill’s captaincy brilliance

Gavaskar also lauded Gill's captaincy acumen, especially his tactical move late on Day 3 that resulted in the dismissal of Zak Crawley. "The last move was fantastic. Sending a fielder there [deep] and bowling a yorker," Gavaskar remarked, referring to Siraj’s well-executed delivery that outfoxed Crawley on the final ball of the day.

Watch the video here

A wholesome moment between Shubman Gill & Sunil Gavaskar 😍#SonySportsNetwork #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings | @ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/2wYhLiMCAR

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 2, 2025

See Also: WCL 2025, Final: Pakistan Champions vs South Africa Champions full match highlights

Earlier, India resumed Day 3 on 75/2 with Akash Deep and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the crease. While Gill was dismissed early for 11, Jaiswal’s 118 anchored the innings. Contributions from Jadeja (53), Sundar (53), and a gritty 66 from Akash Deep propelled India to a total of 396. England, chasing 374, ended the day on 50/1 with Duckett and Crawley starting confidently before Siraj’s late strike gave India the edge heading into Day 4.

Just after Mohammed Siraj bluffed Zak Crawley with an over-pitched delivery broke the stumps at the end of the third day’s play during the fifth Test of the five-match series between England and India at Kennington Oval in South London, Shubman Gill, India’s captain, was walking back to the dressing room, when he met the former captain, Sunil Gavaskar.

Shubman Gill narrowly missed out on breaking an iconic record with the bat for Indian cricket, but he had already scripted a memorable period for the Blue Brigade in the series. The cameras found the heartwarming moment when Gavaskar gifted Gill a signed cap and shirt as a gesture of respect and love towards the youngster.

See Also: Top 5 successful Test run chases at Kennington Oval in last 100 years

‘This is a little cap, which I give to very few people with my signature.’ Gavaskar told Gill as he handed over a shirt and cap to the Punjab-born before promising him to wear his lucky jacket for the fourth and potentially the last day of the series, as India eye to draw the series by a 2-2 margin.

Watch: Sunil Gavaskar meets Shubman Gill for special priceless gift

Gill finished the series with 754 runs in 10 innings, falling just 21 runs short of Gavaskar, who still holds the record for the most runs scored for the side in the red-ball series. However, it was incredible from the Indian captain, especially after he replaced Rohit Sharma as the new leader of the side after his retirement, along with taking the number four spot of Virat Kohli.

A wholesome moment between Shubman Gill & Sunil Gavaskar 😍#SonySportsNetwork #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings | @ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/2wYhLiMCAR

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 2, 2025

The only place where Gill struggled was in London, which is why his numbers were not exciting during the two games at Lord’s and Oval. Otherwise, he smashed centuries at Leeds and Old Trafford besides drilling a fine double century to mark India’s 336-run victory at Edgbaston.

India set a huge target of 374 runs for the Ollie Pope-led side. The home openers nearly saw them through the day with a 50-run stand, before Siraj injected new life and energy in the team with Crawley’s wicket as they eye to earn their third victory at this venue to draw the series and walk off the trip with their heads high.

Team India has been going through a transition phase with multiple new faces and some senior players. KL Rahul is among the senior players who have the responsibility to guide the team to the right path. The ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar trophy has so far produced multiple memorable moments for cricket fans. Rahul too contributed a lot as per expectations. He has been in promising form from the beginning of the 5-match Test series. By only a few runs, the batter missed the opportunity to touch a milestone set by the legendary Sunil Gavaskar.

As an Indian opener, KL Rahul scored a total of 532 runs in the SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). Sunil Gavaskar made 542 runs against these teams as an Indian opener. Rahul missed the margin by only 10 runs and registered his name in the second spot of the ladder. In the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, Rahul, who smashed a couple of hundreds and a couple of half centuries, lost his momentum cheaply in both innings of the 5th Test at The Oval. He was dismissed for 14 and 7 runs during the first and second innings, respectively. 

KL Rahul's batting performance vs. England, Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, 2025:

• 1st Test- 42 and 137, Leeds
• 2nd Test- 2:55, Birmingham
• 3rd Test: 100 and 39, Lord's
• 4th Test: 46 and 90, Old Trafford
• 5th Test: 14 and 7, The Oval 

Read More: [WATCH] Chris Gayle comments on his bond with Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and WCL future

Fans impressed by Rahul's gesture 

Indian cricket fans praised KL Rahul as he stood up for his teammate Prasidh Krishna during a heated verbal exchange with England batter Joe Root in the 5th Test at The Oval. During the first innings of the match, when England was batting, Root and Krishna were engaged in an exchange of words. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena interrupted the matter to resume the game. KL Rahul came from behind and expressed his displeasure about the umpire's decision.