England v India 2025 - an all-time classic series

LONDON :England v India 2025 will go down as one of cricket's greatest test series of all time, five matches crammed into seven weeks of unrelenting, see-saw drama ending in a 2-2 draw after India's extraordinary six-run win in the final game on Monday.

Over 7,000 runs were scored, including a record-equalling 21 individual centuries, the sun shone most of the time and every match went into the fifth day.

The stadiums were packed and although tensions flared at times on the pitch - perhaps inevitable given the immense pressure - it was a series that featured all the best things that make test cricket such compulsive viewing.

With more and more one-day cricket around the world, it was a timely boost for the longest format of the sport which many people believe is fighting for its existence.

"It's been an incredible series, all five games going down to day five, so much has been put into this series from both teams," England captain Ben Stokes said.

"The commitment and energy has been outstanding. Stood here now, we're bitterly disappointed we couldn't get the series win but, being a massive advocate of the game of test cricket, this series has been an unbelievable advert for it across the world."

It all started at Headingley where three India batsmen made centuries, before a collapse that was to become a feature of the series, as they posted 471 and England replied with 465.

Rishabh Pant's second hundred of the game led India to 364 before Ben Duckett's stroke-laden 149 inspired England's textbook chase of a huge target of 371 to complete a five-wicket win.

ONE-SIDED TEST

The second test at Edgbaston was by far the most one-sided.

India captain Shubman Gill made a brilliant 269 in his side's first-innings 587.

Harry Brook's 158 was