Gautam Gambhir celebrated like never before after Mohammed Siraj cleaned up Gus Atkinson to help India script one of the memorable Tests wins on English soil in history of the game. Resuming the fifth day of the fifth Test on 339/6 and need only 35 runs to win, England lost their last four wickets for 28 runs, with Siraj taking three out of them. The win also helped India secure a 2-2 draw in the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy which was renamed from earlier Pataudi Trophy.
In a video shared by the BCCI, the whole Indian dressing room stood in anticipation as the players took the final wickets on Monday morning. Soon after the final wicket fell, Gambhir was mobbed by his support staff as the Indian head coach screamed like a child in celebration. The former India opener also jumped in bowling coach Morne Morkel’s lap and clutched the South African like he never wanted to leave.
Later, Gambhir shared an emotional hug with captain Shubman Gill as India avoided a series defeat. It was also the first time India drew a Test series under Gambhir’s guidance.
What this series draw means for Gautam Gambhir?
Pressure was mounting on Gambhir. Since taking charge from Rahul Dravid in 2024, Gambhir’s guidance had resulted in India managing only five wins, two draws, and eight losses in 15 Tests. With Test series losses against New Zealand (home) and Australia (away), saving the Test series against England came as a sigh of relief for the 43-year-old.
This was India’s first Test win in a fifth game of a series away from home. The six-run win was also India lowest in terms of margin. Previously India’s narrowest win in terms of runs came against Australia in 2004 at the Wankhede Stadium when the hosts won by 13 runs.