India’s remarkable six-run victory at The Oval may have drawn the five-match series 2-2, but it did more than just even the scoreline.
It offered a big reality check and a valuable lesson for Indian cricket. Sanjay Manjrekar, in his latest tweet after the win, praised the team’s performance in the absence of key senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami.
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According to him, the message is simple: no one is bigger than the team. Manjrekar’s words have sparked a deeper discussion about team culture and selection flexibility in the post-Kohli-Rohit-Bumrah era.
What did Sanjay Manjrekar say after India's Oval win?
Soon after India pulled off a dramatic win in the final session of Day 5 at The Oval, former India batter and commentator Manjrekar took to social media to highlight what he called a “lesson” for Indian cricket. He tweeted:
“Series drawn with 2 wins that didn’t feature Rohit, Virat, Shami & yes BUMRAH too! Great win for Indian cricket & great LESSON for Indian cricket. No individual is indispensable.”
Series drawn with 2 wins that didn’t feature Rohit, Virat, Shami & yes BUMRAH too! Great win for Indian cricket & great LESSON for Indian cricket. No individual is indispensable.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) August 4, 2025
Well done team India! 👏👏👏
His comment echoed a growing sentiment that the younger and less experienced players had stepped up brilliantly under pressure.
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With most of the regular stars either retired or injured, this win showed that the team had depth, balance and character.
What happened in the Oval Test and how did India level the series?
The fifth Test at The Oval saw India pull off one of their finest away wins in recent memory. England were chasing just 35 runs on the final day with four wickets remaining.
The odds were in their favour, especially after the hundred-run partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook the previous day had shifted momentum.
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But India, led by a fired-up Mohammed Siraj, had other plans. Siraj produced a bowling masterclass under overcast skies and picked up three key wickets with the old ball to finish with a brilliant five-wicket haul.
England’s fightback had been impressive. Root and Brook added 195 for the fourth wicket and even on the final day, England showed grit through Jamie Overton and Gus Atkinson.
But once Siraj removed Smith and Overton in quick succession, the pressure shifted. Despite the injured Chris Woakes bravely walking out to bat with one arm in a sling, India stayed sharp. Atkinson tried to shield Woakes, but eventually fell to another pinpoint Siraj delivery.
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India won by 6 runs, levelling the five-match series 2-2. It was one of the closest finishes in recent years.