Real test

Jamie Overton LBW: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif called it “real Test cricket” — a drama soaked in pressure, tactics, grit, and late twists. India’s astonishing six-run win over England in the fifth and final Test at The Oval ticked every box, and for Latif, it was a throwback to the finest traditions of the format.

“Test matches in England and Australia have a charm of their own. What we saw in this series, especially the final Test, was real Test cricket — pressure, fightbacks, and tactical gambles,” Latif told IANS. “This final match turned into a fast-bowler’s contest, and the way Siraj and Prasidh Krishna bowled under pressure was incredible.”

On a nail-biting final day, Mohammed Siraj produced one of the finest spells of his career, taking three of the last four England wickets to complete a five-wicket haul and bowl India to a six-run win — their narrowest victory by runs in the history of Test cricket. With it, India squared the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2024 series 2–2, ending an unforgettable tour on a high.