When Cricket Became Theatre – Tendulkar–Anderson Trophy 2025

India vs England – Tendulkar–Anderson Trophy 2025

The five-match Test series between India and England, officially named the Tendulkar–Anderson Trophy, ended in a thrilling 2–2 draw. The cricket on display was of the highest quality, featuring remarkable batting feats, gritty bowling spells, and several nail-biting finishes.

Shubman Gill (754 runs) and Harry Brook (481 runs) were jointly named Players of the Series for their outstanding performances. Gill, in his first series as India’s captain, combined tactical acumen with prolific batting, while Brook stood out as England’s most consistent run-scorer.

MATCH SUMMARIES

1st Test – Headingley, Leeds (June 20–24, 2025)

Result: England won by 5 wickets, chasing down a challenging 371.

Player of the Match: Ben Duckett, for his match-winning scores of 62 and 149.

This opening Test set the tone for the series, with England showing their aggressive intent. Duckett’s fluent batting in the fourth innings made the difference, handing England an early lead.

2nd Test – Edgbaston, Birmingham (July 2–6, 2025)

Result: India won by a commanding 336 runs.

Player of the Match: Shubman Gill, for his monumental knocks of 269 and 161.

Gill’s masterclass in both innings crushed England’s bowling attack and leveled the series 1–1.

3rd Test – Lord’s, London (July 10–14, 2025)

Result: England won by 22 runs.

Player of the Match: Ben Stokes, for his all-round heroics—contributing vital runs, key wickets, and a game-changing run-out.

This match featured high drama on Day 3’s final over, as England’s bowlers and India’s tail engaged in a tense, crowd-roaring battle under fading light.

4th Test – Old Trafford, Manchester (July 23–27, 2025)

Result: Match drawn.

Jadeja and Washington Sundar’s partnership of 203 runs saved India from defeat, keeping the series alive.

5th Test – The Oval, London (July 31–August 4, 2025)

Result: India won by 6 runs—their narrowest-ever Test victory.

Player of the Match: Mohammed Siraj, for his crucial five-wicket haul and match-winning final spell.

Siraj’s last ball—a perfect outswinger to clean up the final wicket—sent the Indian players into wild celebrations.

INDIAN TEAM ANALYSIS

Openers – KL Rahul & Yashasvi Jaiswal

India experimented with various combinations but settled on KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. This right-left combination worked effectively:

KL Rahul (532 runs) was calm, composed, and classical, often anchoring the innings deep into the game.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (411 runs) brought aggression, ensuring quick starts. Whenever Jaiswal was in full flow, the scoreboard raced ahead. At least one of the two played a long innings in almost every match.

No. 3– Sai Sudharsan & Karun Nair

Both Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair had opportunities but struggled to convert starts:

Sai Sudharsan: 140 runs, average 23.23 (6 innings).

Karun Nair: 111 runs, average 27.75 (4 innings).

Each got decent starts but failed to produce big scores. Occasionally, they contributed small yet valuable partnerships that helped steady the innings.

Shubman Gill – The Captain & Run Machine

Gill batted at No. 4—a position historically occupied by legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli—and embraced the responsibility with distinction:

Runs: 754

Centuries: 3

Double Hundreds: 1

Gill broke several batting records during the series. As a debutant Test captain, he showed maturity beyond his years, marshaling his bowlers well, making bold declarations, and leading from the front with the bat. Beating England in English conditions—even to level the series—was a significant achievement.

Rishabh Pant – The Warrior Wicketkeeper

Rishabh Pant was outstanding with both gloves and bat:

Runs: 479 in 7 innings

Average: 68.42

Pant’s aggressive style complemented the top order perfectly. His courage was unmatched—he even played his final innings with a broken leg, battling pain to add crucial runs. His return from injury became one of the most inspiring stories of the series.

All-Rounders – Ravindra Jadeja & Washington Sundar

The backbone of India’s balance:

Ravindra Jadeja: 516 runs (average 86.00) with 1 century and 5 fifties in 10 innings. Consistency defined his batting, and his left-arm spin kept pressure on England’s batsmen.

Washington Sundar: 284 runs in 8 innings, including a maiden Test hundred (unbeaten 101) at Old Trafford. His century stand with Jadeja saved the fourth Test. He also chipped in with 7 wickets in the series.

Together, they ensured India always had depth in both batting and bowling.

FAST BOWLERS – THE PACE ARSENAL

India’s fast-bowling unit played a decisive role, especially in English conditions:

Mohammed Siraj

Wickets: 23 in 5 Tests

Average: 32.43

Best: 6/70

Siraj was the series’ leading wicket-taker. His 9 wickets at The Oval—including a nerve-shredding final spell—sealed India’s narrow win. His last delivery to dismiss the final English batsman was an unplayable outswinger that will be replayed for years.

Jasprit Bumrah

14 wickets in 3 Tests (average 26.00).

Known for his deadly yorkers, Bumrah claimed 10 “bowled” dismissals in the series—most by any bowler.

Prasidh Krishna

14 wickets in 6 innings.

Best: 4/62, including crucial breakthroughs on the final day of the series.

Akash Deep

13 wickets, plus a surprise batting cameo—scoring 62 runs as a nightwatchman.

Unforgettable Moments Of The Series

1. 3rd Test, Day 3 – Last Over Drama

2. Gill’s Captaincy Debut

3. The Return of the Wounded Warriors

Rishabh Pant batted bravely with a broken leg.

Ben Stokes played through a shoulder niggle, still producing match-defining moments.

Chris Woakes returned from injury to bowl tirelessly, showing why he remains one of England’s most reliable seamers.

Their grit became symbolic of the series’ fighting spirit.

4. Siraj’s Last Spell & The Final Ball

The Oval’s final morning saw Siraj in full rhythm, swinging the ball both ways. His last ball—a perfect outswinger—clipped the top of off stump, sealing a 6-run victory for India and sparking scenes of unrestrained joy.

Combined XI of the Series

1. KL Rahul (India – opener)

2. Ben Duckett (England – opener)

3. Joe Root (England)

4. Shubman Gill (India)

5. Rishabh Pant (India – wicketkeeper)

6. Harry Brook (England)

7. Ravindra Jadeja (India)

8. Ben Stokes (England – captain)

9. Jasprit Bumrah (India)

10. Mohammed Siraj (India)

11. Josh Tongue (England)