Cricket fans around the world were treated to a dramatic finish in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, as India staged a remarkable comeback to clinch the fifth and final Test against England by a thrilling six runs at the Kennington Oval. This result ensured the fiercely contested series ended in a 2-2 draw, a fitting conclusion to a rivalry that has produced plenty of high-octane moments, memorable performances, and a fair share of on-field drama.
Heading into the Oval Test, all eyes were on India’s young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who stepped up in place of the injured vice-captain Rishabh Pant. Jurel, just 24 years old, had already impressed behind the stumps and with the bat in the previous two Tests at Lord’s and Manchester, filling in admirably while Pant recovered from multiple injuries. With the series on the line and Pant officially ruled out, Jurel was handed the gloves for the all-important decider—a moment he’d dreamed of since childhood.
“Rishabh bhaiya is a senior player, he told me on which line I can take the stance and about the feet movement and that is something I have been working on off the field with (T) Dilip sir (fielding coach),” Jurel revealed during a video shared by the BCCI. The young keeper credited Pant’s mentorship and the support of the coaching staff for helping him hone his technique, especially under the challenging conditions England is known for. “To overcome challenges when you go overseas is always a special thing. If you perform overseas, people will rate you high so I am very excited, just want to go out and express myself,” he added, his excitement palpable as he prepared for the biggest Test of his burgeoning career.
Jurel’s journey to this point has been nothing short of impressive. Since making his Test debut against England in Rajkot just a year ago, he’s featured in four matches, amassing 202 runs at an average of 40.40, including a vital half-century. His grit was on full display during the series, notably during India’s five-wicket win at Ranchi, where he combined with Shubman Gill to steer the team home in a tense chase. “A team man is one who does that one thing—whether you are playing or not—which helps the team win,” Jurel said, echoing the ethos that has endeared him to teammates and fans alike.
The build-up to the final Test at the Oval was not without its own share of drama. Weather threatened to play spoilsport, with a slight drizzle delaying the toss. When the skies finally cleared, England’s stand-in captain Ollie Pope called correctly and elected to bowl first, making it five consecutive tosses lost by India’s captain Shubman Gill. Forced to bat under overcast conditions, the pressure was squarely on the visitors to post a competitive total and keep their hopes of leveling the series alive.
But the cricket itself soon took center stage, showcasing the fierce competitiveness that has defined this edition of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. One of the most talked-about moments came during England’s chase, when a heated exchange erupted between English batting stalwart Joe Root and Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna. The incident quickly went viral, surprising many who are accustomed to Root’s usually calm demeanor.
Root later clarified the situation in an interview with Barmy Army, dispelling any notions of animosity. “First ball, he hit me hard on the finger, and I was trying not to show any sort of emotion about it. The next ball or one after, I hit him for four and he said something to me, I had no idea what he said, I just thought he’s not gonna expect me to go back at him, so I tried to put him on the back foot,” Root recounted. He acknowledged the emotional intensity of the moment but emphasized there was no malice involved. “Albeit there was an element of emotion in it, there wasn’t any malice in it, we had a good chat that evening and the following morning, and things find it. He was involved in Rajasthan when I was there as well. So as I say, he’s a good fella...he definitely didn’t say anything offensive.”
Root’s comments helped cool the online debate, as fans had speculated that Krishna might have said something out of line. In reality, the two share a history as teammates for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League and remain good friends off the field. “There's an element of still being in a reasonable amount of pain, but I think the situation, you know, required it as well, with where we were in the game and it was quite a bowler friendly surface...it was trying to find a way of almost creating a bit of chaos, scrambling their minds and trying to flip the momentum back in,” Root explained, providing insight into the tactical mind games that often unfold in high-stakes Test cricket.
The contest itself swung dramatically in the final sessions. England, chasing a modest target, appeared to have the upper hand at several points, but India’s bowlers kept chipping away, with Mohammad Siraj delivering the crucial blow by dismissing Root for 29. The tension was palpable as the match edged towards its conclusion, with every run and wicket drawing gasps from the crowd. Ultimately, India held their nerve, clinching a six-run victory in what will surely go down as one of the most memorable finishes in recent Test history.
For India, the result was a testament to resilience and teamwork. Jurel’s performance behind the stumps was assured, and his contributions with the bat throughout the series underscored his growing importance to the side. The young wicketkeeper’s reflections on his Lord’s debut summed up the journey: “I used to think about playing at Lord’s since childhood so I was just feeling the moment. The experience (of playing there was great). First of all, what happened with Rishabh bhaiya was very unfortunate. When I went in to keep the wickets… it’s always a dream to play at Lord’s.”
As the dust settles on the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, both teams can take pride in their performances. The 2-2 result reflects the competitive spirit and quality on display, with individual stories—like Jurel’s rise and the Root-Krishna exchange—adding layers to the narrative. Cricket fans will be talking about this series for years to come, as both sides look ahead to future battles with renewed confidence and respect.
