‘This team always believes’ — Shubman Gill’s bold message after India’s win at The Oval

India defeated England at the Oval by a small margin of 6 runs to draw the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 with a score line of 2-2.

That said, the win in the fifth Test did not come India's way easily, as the match saw numerous twists and turns through the five days of play.

After posting a target of 374 runs and scalping Zak Crawley's wicket early on, India looked to be in a pole position to win the match on Day 4.

However, after being reduced to 106/6 at one point, the hosts bounced back with a 195-run stand between Joe Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) that got them in front.

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India once again turned things 180° with quick wickets of Brook, Jacob Bethell and Root and went on to win the match on the final day.

As India got England from 301/3 to 367/10 to win the Test, see what Shubman Gill had to say about the belief within the dressing room to pounce on any opportunity to win the match.

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Shubman Gill shared about India team’s belief after drawing the England series 2-2

Reflecting on the fifth Test in the post-match press conference, Gill discussed the small opening that India created with quick wickets in the evening of Day 4.

Brook was dismissed by Akash Deep at 111 when England were 301, and 73 runs were still needed.

Soon after, England lost Bethell at 332 and the centurion Root at 337, leading India to a comeback.

Gill remarked on Bethell's wicket as the small opening that they were looking for to turn the game on its head.

"What we did this morning kind of summarized, what this team is all about — 70 odd runs and 7 wickets in hand. The way Brooky and Root were going, not many teams in the world would have given themselves a chance."

"This team believes that whenever we have some kind of an opening, we can get through that opening and that's what we were talking about once Brook was out early and we got an early wicket of Bethell that this is our opening," he added.

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He spoke about the conversation within the group to capitalize on the chance given by England and lauded the efforts of Siraj, in particular.

"When you have got bowlers like him [Siraj] bowling, it makes your job as the captain easy. You are just standing there and appreciate their bowling," he concluded.

On the final day of the series, Siraj put up a spirited spell and took 3 wickets within an hour of play.

This was India's second consecutive series drawn in England after the memorable series of 2021/22, which ended in a 2-2 draw as well.

What's next for team India?

Up next, India is scheduled to play the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28. Later, India will host the West Indies at home for a two-Test match series.