England:
In a dramatic finale at The Oval on 4 August 2025, India clinched one of their narrowest-ever Test victories by six runs to level the inaugural five‑match Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy series 2–2. The series enthralled cricket fans across the globe and reinforced why Test cricket remains the ultimate format.
2⃣-2⃣ 🏆
The first ever Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy ends in a draw 🤝#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/9dY6LoFOjG
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2025
Series Overview:
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The newly introduced Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy, unveiled in June 2025, honours Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson and replaces the Pataudi/Anthony de Mello trophies.
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Over five Tests, every match stretched to the final session on Day 5, exemplifying fierce competition and fine margins.
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The series featured record-breaking run aggregates, with more runs scored than in any previous Test series.
Batting Brilliance:
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India’s captain Shubman Gill was the standout batsman, finishing as leading run‑scorer with 754 runs at an average of 75.40, including four centuries and a high score of 269.
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England’s Joe Root amassed 537 runs at 67.12 and rose to second on the all‑time Test run‑scorers list, while KL Rahul (532 runs) and Ravindra Jadeja (516) also made significant contributions.
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Rishabh Pant, despite playing only four matches due to a broken foot, scored 479 runs at 68.42, including two centuries and recording his highest score of 134. His dual hundreds in Leeds and consistent performances earned him a place in Wisden’s team of the series.
Bowling Heroics:
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Mohammed Siraj was India’s bowling match‑winner, finishing with 23 wickets across the series the joint‑most by an Indian in England and superb figures of 9 for 190 in the final Test at The Oval.
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His Day 5 burst of 3 for 9 and dismissal of Gus Atkinson sealed India’s dramatic win and earned him Player of the Match honours.
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Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep collaborated in the fourth‑innings bowling for India, exploiting the tense conditions to great effect.
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For England, Ben Stokes delivered all‑round impact with the ball and bat until he missed the final Test through injury; he tallied 17 wickets and a century in Manchester and earned his spot in Wisden’s squad.
Courage Amid Injuries:
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Rishabh Pant showcased remarkable resilience, battling a broken foot sustained at Old Trafford. Yet he returned to smash crucial runs in multiple Tests including a century at Leeds and refused to let discomfort hold him back.
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Chris Woakes of England walked out to bat at The Oval on the final morning despite a dislocated shoulder. Though he did not face a delivery, his presence symbolised grit; his injury became another poignant moment in an intense Test finale.
Didn’t think we could love Chris Woakes any more… turns out we could ❤️pic.twitter.com/UnlTKBAcEK
— England’s Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) August 4, 2025
Also Read: India Captain Shubman Gill Reveals Gautam Gambhir’s Motivational Mantra!
Moment by Moment Drama:
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England began with a stunning fourth‑innings chase in the first Test at Leeds, chasing down India’s 1st-innings lead to win their second-largest chase in Test history.
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At Lord’s, finger‑wagging and heated exchanges particularly between Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley fired up the contest and added edge to the rivalry.
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Each match was filled with on‑field confrontations, emotional onslaughts, and verbal duels, though captains praised mental toughness amid the hostility.
𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳. 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗝𝘂𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻!
Raw Emotions straight after #TeamIndia‘s special win at the Kennington Oval 🔝#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/vhrfv8ditL
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2025
Why Test Cricket Triumphs:
This series reinforced the idea that Test cricket is the pinnacle of sporting formats. It combines skill, patience, strategy, emotion, and endurance. Only red‑ball cricket can produce a six‑run cliffhanger, record‑breaking aggregates, and heroic individual recoveries under pressure. From long innings and partnerships to relentless fast bowling spells, every facet made the Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy a compelling drama.
Both teams shared the inaugural Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy, as there was no previous holder to retain it under a drawn series rule. Legendary Tendulkar himself rated the series performance a perfect 10 out of 10, praising India’s fightback and the overall intensity of competition.
Wisden named Rishabh Pant as wicket‑keeper in their official team of the series, along with Gill, Rahul, Jadeja, Stokes and others who defined one of the most riveting Test series in recent memory. The Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy has begun its life in style and reminded cricket lovers everywhere why Test cricket is unmatched.
