England will look back at this series with a feeling of absolute distrust – not only for what happened, but for what could have been. It was not a series of 2-2. This was the victory of 4–1, which dressed as a draw. Twice in Manchester and in the oval, England stood on the brink of triumph-only how India Claw was back from almost some defeat with a team who simply refused to die.
In Old Trafford, the 311-run line slipped when India fired almost five sessions, while Ravindra Jadej and Washington Sundar had brushed the host into frustration. Then came the oval, needed only 35 runs with four goals in hand on day 5, England hit in daylight, Not sent by magic Mohammed Siraj for ages.
They weren’t just missing chances – they were psychological blows. England dominated four out of five tests, but the level ended. This series will be about what the young Indian party has achieved, but will also remember what England has released.
Small cracks, deep fractures
England had both hands on the series. In Manchester they published a colossal 669 – a total that should crush any opposition under its weight. The hosts tightened the screws with humongous leadership. Then the beginning of the ball came with the ball: India 0/2, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan left the first. The series looked wrapped. But somehow, inexplicably, England let it slip.
The patience test followed – and England failed. SHUBMAN GILL and KL RAHUL burned the whole fourth day with incredible energy and faith. However, there were no breakthroughs, no imagination, no change in intensity from hosts. On the 5th day of Jadeja and Washington Sundar scored the undefeated hundreds and India left with a draw that felt like a robbery.
But the real intestinal blow came to the oval. She chased 374, England sailed at 301/3 and needed only 73 runs with Joe Root and Harry Brook set. Then came the collapse – Six goals for 66 runs. The English tail fell like a house of cards and India caught a six -seater victory.
England was a better side for long sections of this series. But they dropped catches and incomprehensible inability to complete the work left them 2-2 draw, which feels like loss. Two tests threw out. The series wasted. Summer of regret.
Harry Brook regrets
Brook’s shifts in the oval were exciting Yet he finally went in vain. After leading the charge in the wild stand 195run with Joe Root and recorded the liquid of 111 out of 95 balls, Brook tried to repeat two consecutive boundaries from Akash Deep.
On the next ball, the goal and lofted the ball towards Midoff, missed the shot, lost the bat as he flew from his grip, and was caught by a field player. Brook later said he regretted playing this shot, and called him an incorrectly assessed risk than intelligent aggression.
“My thought process was just to try to hit as many run as quickly as possible. As I said, the game is done, if we need 40 runs with me and root there; if I get out there (with 40 winning), the game is still finished. Of course it didn’t work.
Later at the BBC Brook said, “I had no idea that we would lose seven goals for 60 runs. You probably have the best test cricket outside at that time at the time in the root and back, (I thought) that I would try as many runs and the game is done.
If Brook remained at the fold in an oval in a tense fourth shift, England would almost certainly float home. If he stayed, not only would the victory follow, but Brook’s standout form and the player’s prize player would be sweeter.
England needs minor improvements
After the Manchester test had a tie slipping into a draw and collapse on the oval in the game they were under control, England must face hard truth: if they do not deal with key shortcomings, the ashes could become a brutal control of reality.
In Manchester, despite the huge overall first exchange, England could not close the game when the Indian moderate and lower order detonated. They sailed in the oval, but disintegrated under pressure – revealed the fragile nerves and lack of peace.
If England does not grow their ability to complete games, strengthen their lower order and field with discipline, Australia will punish them. Tactical inelasticity, excessive relief for individual brilliance and mental lunges stand against India – and aussies will be less forgiveness.
The domestic conditions that are not on their side are to fight this ashes – but if they do not develop quickly, they could be a long and penalty series.
– ends
Published on:
August 6, 2025
