ENG vs IND 2025: 'I thought England would do it' - Stuart Broad's honest take on dramatic final day at The Oval
"I thought England would do it, If I'm brutally honest. I arrived thinking Jamie Smith would hit a couple of boundaries and it would all calm down," said Broad.
Former England cricketer Stuart Broad reflected on India’s thrilling victory at The Oval on Day 5 of the fifth and final Test of the series. He admitted he had believed England were well on course to win the match given the position they were in.
Chasing a target of 374, the hosts needed just 35 more runs with four wickets in hand on the final day. Broad shared that he expected Jamie Smith to hit a couple of early boundaries and steer England towards a comfortable win. However, India produced a remarkable bowling performance, dismissing England for 367 and clinching a dramatic six-run victory to level the five-match series 2-2.
"I thought England would do it, If I'm brutally honest. I arrived thinking Jamie Smith would hit a couple of boundaries and it would all calm down. India would have to bring the fielders in to get wickets and then the runs just come freely. It was just one of those perfect mornings where it clouded over, there was a bit of drizzle in the air, the ball was 76 overs old but swayed around all over the place. Jamie Overton started eight from the first two balls and you're thinking happy days, done and dusted," Broad said on 'For The Love Of Cricket' podcast.
Broad, who was present at The Oval on Day 5, described the atmosphere as electric, noting that the majority of the crowd was firmly behind India. He added that the energy in the stadium seemed to inspire Mohammed Siraj, who thrived under the pressure and delivered when it mattered most.
England were favourites to win the game: Jos Buttler
England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler also acknowledged India's resilience and credited the visitors for their remarkable comeback to win the fifth Test. During the chase, England appeared to be in complete control at one point, with Joe Root and Harry Brook both scoring centuries.
The pair shared a 195-run partnership for the fourth wicket, and Buttler admitted that India looked out of the contest during that phase. However, Akash Deep shifted the momentum by dismissing Brook, sparking a collapse that ultimately led to India’s stunning six-run victory.
"Full credit to India for hanging in there. I watched a bit last night, with Root and Brooks, such an incredible partnership, I thought India looked beaten and England were favorites to win the game but that one wicket of Brook brought the game back to life," Buttler said.
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