ENG vs IND 5th Test Results

12:02 PM IST Harry Brook is named England's PLAYER OF THE SERIES by India's coach Gautam Gambhir. Brook says they were feeling confident with two set batters at the crease and thought they could easily see it home. He adds that Siraj bowled exceptionally well and deserves all the success for the way he performed under pressure. Says that he expected the pitch to play a bit flatter, although the overcast conditions kept things challenging. He mentions he respects Siraj a lot and credits him for turning the game. Reflecting on Chris Woakes coming out to bat despite his injury, Brook says there was never any doubt that Woakes was going to bat. Calls it unfortunate not to cross the line but says that’s just how cricket goes. States that he felt things were going really well and, had they found a couple of big overs before he got out, the game could have been done there itself. Shares that his thought process was to score quickly and bring the target down to around 40.

11:52 AM IST The skipper of England, Ben Stokes, says it’s always difficult when you can’t actively participate in a game, but it was another hard-fought contest that went right down to Day 5. He reflects on what he calls an amazing series to be a part of and admits there's disappointment in not getting over the line. He says he his incredibly proud of his team and would have loved to win the series, but it just wasn’t meant to be. Stokes has high praise for Chris Woakes, saying there was never any question in Woakes’ mind about going out to bat. Adds that it just shows how much it means to these players to represent their country. He also acknowledges the fight shown by India and says he is sure Shubman Gill will be equally proud of how his team battled through. Mentions that India vs England is always a massive series, and emotions inevitably pour out once the game is on the line. Further says that it just shows the passion and desire of everyone who walks out to represent their country. Shares that he is really happy with how it went for him with the ball. Says that rehab starts now for him to get ready for the Ashes in November.

11:51 AM IST Going back to where it all started, for the fifth consecutive time in the series, England won the toss and, spotting a green surface under overcast skies, Ollie Pope opted to bowl. The opening day had a fragmented rhythm, with rain interruptions breaking the flow time and again. In the passages of play that did unfold, India managed to string together a few partnerships, and several batters got starts, but none could convert, thanks to Gus Atkinson’s disciplined spell that kept the scoring in check. Josh Tongue sprayed it around but stepped up with a couple of absolute jaffas, bagging two prized scalps. England suffered a setback as Chris Woakes walked off with a dislocated left shoulder, leaving them a bowler short. India’s top order crumbled early, and skipper Shubman Gill’s run-out only deepened the damage. But Karun Nair held firm, building steady alliances with Sai Sudharsan and, later, Washington Sundar to steer India to a respectable 204 for 6 at Stumps.

11:50 AM IST England came into the 25th day of the series needing 35 runs to win, while India required 4 wickets. Jamie Overton kicked things off with a couple of boundaries, the second a bit streaky but valuable all the same. But then Mohammed Siraj took over, removing both overnight batters, Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton. England’s hopes flickered through Gus Atkinson, and in between, Prasidh Krishna landed another crucial blow. Then, in a brave act, Chris Woakes walked out with his left arm in a sling. While he didn’t face a ball and struggled to run, his presence helped Atkinson bring England within one big hit of victory. But it wasn’t to be, as Siraj landed the final blow and sealed India's narrowest win in terms of runs in Tests.

11:48 AM IST KL Rahul is the next to have a chat. He says this win means everything. He reflects on the doubts surrounding Test cricket, the constant questions about its future, but says both teams answered it well. He admits that they were put under pressure at times but they fought in every game. Says 2-2 might be a draw, but feels that this will rank right at the top for Indian Test cricket. Mentions that not having the senior pros like Rohit, Virat and Ashwin in the side took them a couple of weeks to settle in. He feels that everyone asking him about the English conditions made him realise that he has stepped into a different role to guide the youngsters in the team. He is full of praise for Shubman Gill. Calls him a phenomenal captain who led from the front and showed immense character. He believes that Gill will take India to greater heights in the format.

11:47 AM IST Mohammed Siraj is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his outstanding performance, picking up 9 wickets in the game (4 in the first innings and 5 in the second). Dinesh Karthik is alongside him to assist with the translation. He says he feels really amazing, and everyone believed from Day 1 that they could win it. Says he kept his plans simple, to hit the right areas and wickets would fall as a bonus. Shares that when he woke in the morning, he believed that he could do it. Also shares that he downloaded a picture from Google, which said 'Believe'. On Brook’s dropped catch, he admits it was a turning point in the match. He concedes that had he taken it cleanly, the game wouldn’t have dragged on this long. He, then, appreciates Harry Brook for batting really well and then reflects on the heartbreak at Lord’s. Also shares that Ravindra Jadeja told him to back his instincts and remember his father and do it for him.