The 2025 India tour of England has been nothing short of a cricketing spectacle, living up to the storied rivalry between these two powerhouses. With high-scoring chases, dramatic draws, and individual brilliance on display, the five-Test series has kept fans on the edge of their seats. As we stand on August 1, 2025—the current date—the action is unfolding in the decisive 5th Test at The Oval in London. England, under stand-in captain Ollie Pope (with Ben Stokes sidelined due to injury), holds a 2-1 lead, but India, led by the promising Shubman Gill, is fighting tooth and nail to square the series at 2-2. Let’s dive into a recap of the India vs England series so far and zoom in on the ongoing 5th Test.
India vs England Series Recap: A Rollercoaster of Thrills
This series, part of the Pataudi Trophy, kicked off in June and has seen all matches extend into the fifth day, showcasing Test cricket at its finest. India arrived as favorites after strong home performances, but England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach under Stokes has pushed them hard. Here’s a quick overview of the results:
| Test | Venue | Dates | Result | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Headingley, Leeds | June 20-24, 2025 | England won by 5 wickets | India set 371 to defend; England chased it down with Joe Root (53*) and Jamie Smith (44*) starring. Jasprit Bumrah’s 5-fer in the first innings went in vain due to fielding lapses. |
| 2nd | Edgbaston, Birmingham | July 2-6, 2025 | India won (details inferred from series context) | India bounced back with solid batting; specifics include high scores from Gill and Rahul, leveling the series early. |
| 3rd | Lord’s, London | July 10-14, 2025 | England won | England posted 387 & 192; India’s batting faltered in chase, giving England a 2-1 lead. |
| 4th | Old Trafford, Manchester | July 23-27, 2025 | Match drawn | England dominated with 669 in first innings; India trailed by 311 but heroically batted out 425/4 in the second (centuries from Gill, Jadeja (107), and Sundar (101)). Shubman Gill’s leadership shone in the draw. |
The series has been marked by remarkable stats: India has notched seven 350+ team totals (a record in an away series), and four Indian batters (Gill, Rahul, Pant, Jadeja) have aggregated over 400 runs each—a first in Test history. Standout performers include Joe Root and Harry Brook for England, while Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar have been India’s all-round heroes. Captains’ quotes sum it up: Stokes praised the “test of character and physicality,” while Gill noted, “Every match going till the last session… has taught us a lot as a group.”
England’s edge comes from their pace attack and home advantage, but India’s resilience—especially in batting marathons—has kept them in contention. With Stokes out for the finale due to accumulated injuries, Pope faces a tough task at his home ground, where he averages 74.60 in first-class cricket.
India vs England: The Ongoing 5th Test: Day 1 Drama and Day 2 Expectations
The decider began on July 31 at The Oval under overcast skies, with light rain forecast for multiple days. England won the toss and elected to bowl first on a pitch with live grass, aiming to exploit seam movement. India, batting first, navigated a challenging day to reach 204/6 at stumps, thanks to a gritty unbeaten 52 from Karun Nair—his first fifty since that famous unbeaten triple ton years ago.
Day 1 Key Moments of India vs England:
- Early Wickets: Yashasvi Jaiswal fell early, followed by KL Rahul chopping onto his stumps. Shubman Gill was run out needlessly, adding to India’s woes.
- Middle-Order Struggles: Sai Sudharsan and Ravindra Jadeja got starts but couldn’t convert. Dhruv Jurel was caught by Harry Brook off Gus Atkinson for 19.
- Nair’s Revival: Karun Nair anchored the innings with a watchful 52*, finding support from Washington Sundar (unbeaten, contributing to a crucial partnership). Seamers extracted the most swing and movement of the series so far.
- England’s Bowling: Gus Atkinson and others kept pressure on, but the hosts weren’t fully satisfied with only six wickets on a helpful surface.
As of August 1 (Day 2 morning), play is set to resume with India looking to build a competitive total, aiming for 300+ to stay in the game. The weather could play a role, with potential rain interruptions. For India, Nair and Sundar need to extend their stand, while Bumrah’s bowling will be key later. England, eyeing a 3-1 series win, will push for quick wickets.
This Test could define legacies: Gill needs 89 more runs to break Don Bradman’s record for most in a debut series as captain, and Root has a strong Oval record against India. Whatever happens, this series reaffirms why Test cricket remains the pinnacle—full of endurance, skill, and drama.
Stay tuned for updates as the action unfolds. More Sports Blogs
