England to Reflect After Narrow Defeat as India Level Series 2-2 at The Oval

England to Reflect After Narrow Defeat as India Level Series 2-2 at The Oval

India's win, achieved in just 56 minutes on the final morning, marked their narrowest-ever victory by runs in Test cricket and completed a comeback from 2-1 down. It also denied England a first series win over India since 2018 and continued the wait for a major series victory under McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.

Speaking after the match, McCullum acknowledged India’s performance and admitted that the visitors deserved the win.

“As much as we got ourselves in a winning position this Test match, I feel like they deserved to win,” McCullum said. “They played better cricket.”

The defeat mirrored England's Ashes campaign in 2023, which also ended 2-2 at home after missed opportunities. While England had moments of dominance, including a promising chase led by Joe Root and Harry Brook, a dramatic collapse from 301 for 3 to 366 all out left them just short of their target of 374.

Missed chances in the field were a significant factor, with six dropped catches during India’s second innings allowing the visitors to post 396. McCullum admitted that England’s fielding, usually a strength, was below par.

“We didn’t catch very well in this game but have caught really well over the last few years,” McCullum said. “If we had held our catches, maybe we would have been stood on the other side of the result.”

Despite the disappointment, McCullum praised the team's character through a hard-fought, injury-hit campaign and expressed pride in their resilience.

“To sit here at 2-2, yes, you're disappointed but you're proud of the efforts,” he said. “It's been a combative series. Some of the best players have gone home injured. You're always learning any time you get to see guys dig deep and go to places they’ve maybe not been before.”

England’s next red-ball challenge comes in November when they begin their Ashes campaign in Perth. Until then, the focus will turn to white-ball series against South Africa and Ireland in September. McCullum, who now oversees all formats, said he and his coaching staff will use the break to review the series in depth.

“We'll let this one sit, we'll digest it,” he said. “Then we’ll pick out what has gone well and start to work out how we can keep improving so that when we arrive in Australia, we give ourselves a huge chance.”

McCullum also paid tribute to India’s determination, highlighting the extraordinary efforts of Mohammed Siraj, who bowled consistently at high pace late in the match.

“Siraj has the absolute heart of a lion to bowl 90mph in his 30th over of his fifth Test match. It’s quite an incredible effort,” he added.

While England’s "Bazball" approach continues to thrill, questions remain over its consistency in crunch moments. With no series wins yet under the McCullum-Stokes era against India or Australia, the pressure is mounting ahead of a pivotal Ashes campaign.

Key Series Moments:

  • India’s second-innings total of 396 boosted by six dropped catches

  • England collapse from 301/3 to 366 all out in final chase

  • Siraj’s heroic effort: 90mph spells deep into his 30th over

  • Root and Brook’s century stand goes in vain

Next up:

  • England face South Africa (ODI and T20I series) in September

  • Ashes series begins in November, starting at Perth

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