As India prepares for the 5th Test of the 2025 series at the same venue, this victory from four years ago remains a glowing beacon of what's possible when talent meets temperament
When India stepped onto the lush Oval outfield on 2 September 2021, few believed they had a real chance of conquering a venue where they had only tasted victory once in 14 previous visits. Yet, five days later, they stood tall-having crafted one of their most memorable overseas Test wins. They defeated England by 157 runs, demonstrating not just flair but sheer willpower. Amidst the swinging Dukes and mounting pressure, three men carved their names into cricketing folklore.
The 4th Test of that series was a turning point-not merely for the scoreboard but for the mindset of an Indian side shifting from hope to belief. Let's turn the pages of this Oval classic and revisit the finest performers who turned the tide in India's favour.
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Rohit Sharma's century in the second innings wasn't just another ton-it was a masterclass in temperance and timing. On a surface that played tricks early and demanded patience later, Rohit scored 127 runs off 256 balls. It was his first overseas century, and perhaps the most significant of his career.
More than just a personal milestone, his innings provided India with the anchor and momentum they sorely lacked in the first innings (where he had scored just 11). Opening with KL Rahul, Rohit established an 83-run platform, and later formed a crucial 153-run partnership with Pujara, taking India to 270/3 by the end of Day 3.
His knock was decorated with 14 fours and a six, but it was the restraint against Anderson and Robinson under cloudy London skies that stood out. India eventually declared at 466 in the second innings, setting England a daunting target of 368.
That century, in a hostile environment and in a game-defining moment, became the cornerstone of India's first win at The Oval since 1971.
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Shardul Thakur - The unexpected game-changer
Shardul Thakur didn't just turn heads-he flipped the script. With the bat, he scored two blazing half-centuries-57 off 36 in the first innings and 60 off 72 in the second. His first-innings cameo came when India was struggling at 127/7. In a 31-minute blitz, he hit 7 fours and 3 sixes, pushing India to a somewhat respectable 191.
Then came another counter-attacking innings in the second innings, as he came in at 312/6 and helped extend the lead well beyond 350. His fearless strokeplay, marked by aggressive footwork, unsettled England's bowling attack.
But Thakur's contributions didn't end there. With the ball, he took two vital wickets in the fourth innings-including the prized scalp of Joe Root, who was looking increasingly dangerous during England's chase.
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After spending considerable time on the fringes, Umesh Yadav's return to the XI was met with scepticism. By the end of Day 5, those doubts had turned into nods of admiration.
Umesh took 3 wickets in each innings, dismissing Root, Malan, Overton, Woakes, and Anderson. His pace remained steady, his lengths were fuller, and his aggression stayed high. England's first innings collapse- from 62/5 to 290-would have been worse without Umesh's early breakthroughs.
He bowled 37.2 overs across both innings and conceded just 136 runs at a healthy economy rate. His 6 wickets played a vital supporting role alongside Bumrah's brilliance and Jadeja's accuracy.
