As he reflected on the thrilling five-Test series against India, which ended with a heartbreaking six-run loss at The Oval, England captain Ben Stokes found pride and meaning in his team’s effort even in defeat. After a month of exciting cricket, the outcome meant that the two teams shared the series 2-2.
Speaking after the match to BBC Test Match Special, Stokes described the series as a powerful endorsement of the enduring magic of Test cricket.
“It’s been an incredible series, all five games going down to day five,” Stokes said. “So much has been put into this series from both teams. The commitment and energy has been outstanding.”
#WATCH | London, UK: On Indian bowler Mohammed Siraj’s performance, England Captain Ben Stokes says, “I’ve always had great respect and admiration for Mohammed Siraj as a competitor. He just keeps coming and coming and coming. He’s always going to be in the fight with you. This… pic.twitter.com/7ZvfdTSOUz
— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2025
While England came agonisingly close to sealing the series win, Stokes turned focus toward the broader picture and the impact this series could have on the future of the longest format.
ALSO READ: Emotional Siraj After Oval Heroics: ‘Always Believed I’d Do It for the Team’
“Stood here now, we’re bitterly disappointed we couldn’t get the series win,” he admitted. “But myself being a massive advocate of the game of Test cricket, this series has been an unbelievable advert for it across the world. All the doubters saying it’s dying a death, this series has said the opposite.”
Siraj Shines as England Fall Just Short
The final day at The Oval epitomised the drama and intensity the series had delivered throughout. England, needing 35 runs with four wickets in hand, started well as Prasidh Krishna was hit for two early boundaries. But India’s Mohammed Siraj altered the narrative with an inspired spell.
Siraj dismissed Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton before delivering a sensational yorker that bowled Gus Atkinson, completing his five-wicket haul and sealing India’s narrowest-ever win by runs in Test cricket.
As Siraj fell to his knees with his arms lifted in unadulterated emotion and his teammates poured onto the field in joy, India burst into celebration.
ALSO READ: IND vs ENG 5th Test: Chris Woakes Braves Injury, Bats with Arm in Sling | Watch
Woakes’ Grit and Team’s Spirit Lauded
Stokes commended his team’s tenacity despite the defeat, particularly after Chris Woakes, a vital player, suffered a shoulder injury early in the game.
“Credit both teams,” he said. “The amount of effort from both teams to end up here 2-2 is incredible. Losing Woakesy early on in the game changed the whole responsibility on the bowlers in particular, the roles they were selected for. The heart and passion and everything that was shown, especially in our second bowling innings, I thought was outstanding.”
In a display of incredible grit, Woakes walked out to bat with one functioning arm — his left tucked into his sweater — and stood unbeaten at the end without facing a ball.
“Never Say Die” Spirit Remains
Reflecting on the final chase and his team’s approach, Stokes added, “For us, to come out here to try and chase that total down in the way that we did was outstanding,” he said. “That never say die, never back down attitude we’ve installed in the group nearly paid off. We couldn’t quite get over the line.”
Even though the series finished in a draw, the legacy it left behind could be felt well beyond the scoreboard, serving as a poignant reminder that Test cricket still has the ability to captivate audiences unlike any other format.
