The tension was palpable for the competitors, yet it unfolded as a thrilling spectacle for the onlookers. England’s home Test series against India will be etched in the annals of cricket history, as the two teams battled fiercely for 25 unforgettable days with no clear victor emerging.
History unfolded on multiple levels throughout the series, as captains Ben Stokes and Shubman Gill found themselves in a rare situation, sharing the prestigious Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval.
6: India’s narrowest win by runs in Test cricket history
As the final morning dawned at The Oval, India found themselves with a slender lead of just 34 runs, requiring the dismissal of four wickets to secure a remarkable victory.
In a gripping contest that lasted 56 minutes, India managed to clinch a nail-biting victory, conceding just 28 runs before dismissing Gus Atkinson to secure their narrowest win in Test history.
The six-run triumph marked a notable moment, reminiscent of their 13-run victory against Australia in Mumbai back in 2004, where they successfully defended a mere 106 runs, bowling the visitors out for just 93.
In the storied history of men’s Test cricket, spanning nearly 2600 matches, only seven victories have been decided by a margin narrower than the rest.
Seven thousand one hundred eighty-seven runs have been scored in the series, setting a record for the most runs in a five-match Test series.
The two teams showcased top-class batting and remarkable scoring rates, leading to a record number of combined runs for a five-match series. This achievement stands second only to the six-Test 1993 Ashes series in the UK, which saw a total of 7221 runs.
The 6736 runs scored from the bat narrowly miss the mark, falling just 20 runs shy of the 1993 series total of 6756.
In a remarkable display of batting prowess, India has amassed a staggering 3807 runs out of a total of 7187 in this five-Test series. This achievement not only marks the highest contribution by a single team in such a series but also features an impressive tally of 12 centuries, tying for the most by any team. Furthermore, the combined total of 21
centuries across both teams stands as a joint record, highlighting the exceptional talent on display.
In a remarkable display of batting prowess, Shubman Gill (754 runs), KL Rahul (532), and Ravindra Jadeja (516) have etched their names in the annals of cricket history. These three Indian stalwarts have become only the sixth trio ever to surpass the 500-run mark in the same Test series, showcasing their exceptional skills and resilience at the crease.
Three matches concluded in five days, with the first innings gap remaining within 30 runs.
In a remarkable display of competitive cricket, only four other Test series in history have featured three matches where the first innings margins were within a mere 30 runs. This includes the thrilling encounters from England’s home 2023 Ashes series.
In a fascinating turn of events, the third Test saw both teams conclude their first innings with identical scores of 387, marking the ninth time this has happened in the men’s format. In a remarkable twist of fate, both teams matched each other with an identical first innings total of 390 during a Test at Edgbaston in 1986.
45: The number of bowled dismissals recorded in the series
Chaotic stumps defined the series, and Mohammed Siraj’s dismissal of Gus Atkinson to seal the victory was a fitting conclusion to the drama at The Oval.
In a remarkable display of skill, the 45 bowled dismissals recorded in this men’s Test series stand as the highest tally since 1984, and the most for a series conducted in England since 1976.
Jasprit Bumrah made a significant impact in the series, securing 10 wickets through dismissals, even though he participated in only three out of the five Test matches.
25: The total number of days spent on the pitch throughout the five-Test series
With the weather playing a significant role on day four at The Oval, both teams battled it out across every scheduled day of the series, showcasing Siraj’s impressive stamina as he bowled on 18 of the 25 days.
In a remarkable display of endurance, the last five-Test series that extended to the final day was the 2017/18 Ashes in Australia, where England managed to prolong the contest despite facing a 4-0 defeat.
This century has witnessed a remarkable feat, as only the fourth instance of a five-Test series has unfolded with all five matches extending to the full five days. Previous occurrences include the England tour of South Africa in 2004/05 and the South Africa tour of the West Indies in 2001.
