The Indian cricket team managed to pull off a heist at the Oval after winning the fifth Test by six runs to draw the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 series 2-2. Indian veteran star KL Rahul said that winning the final game of the highly-contested India vs England series “meant absolutely everything”.
India had come into the final day of the Oval Test needing to defend 35 runs as they tried to get the remaining four England wickets. In the absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj was again the man of the moment for India, taking five wickets in the second innings.
Asked by former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik after the match ended what this win meant, Rahul said: “Win means absolutely everything. I’ve played cricket for years. Won Champions Trophy, seen the team lift the World Cup — of course nothing compares to winning World Cup.”
Rahul then said that despite the series ending in a 2-2 draw, the series will be one of the highlights of Indian cricket.
“But there were so many questions about whether Test cricket stays or not, but both (teams) answered that question here with the way we’ve played. India weren’t given a chance but we’ve fought in every game and to get 2-2, might be a draw, but for Indian Test cricket, this will rank right at the top. This is where change begins. Indian Test team will win a lot many things and more series,” said Rahul who scored 532 runs in the series at an average of 53.20.
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Rahul also praised newly-minted India captain Shubman Gill for his leadership.
“Not having Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin hit me two weeks in. Everyone was coming to me to ask about English conditions. Then it hit me I’ve stepped into a different role now. Shubman Gill’s been phenomenal, led from the front. He’s formed connections, he’s done that. Tactically good, changes have gotten us wickets. He’ll go on to become a good Test captain,” added Rahul.
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Later, taking to former India cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara, Rahul spoke of his relief for the day.
Asked what his emotions were at the moment, Rahul said: “Right now just relief. This whole morning was crunch, pressure was really high. So feeling relief and satisfaction. This is unbelievable. Short of words. Feeling is hard to describe. Been here toiling for 25 days. It took every inch out of us: everything we had physically, mentally, emotionally. This Test series has taken everything away from us. At the end of 25 days, we’re standing here 2-2. Would have love to win the series. But for a young team to come here, step up and show the the world that we can win games outside of India, it’s truly a testament to what this team is,” Rahul said before talking about his role as a batter for India: “Really happy with individual performance. Openers to give a solid start. That was my goal. Really wanted to take the responsibility for the team.”
