Life is a G.A.M.E ….play on…
05th Aug 2025 Day 23243
Yesterday was Day 25 of the 5 match India England Series being played away from home for the India team. The last day of the 5th and final test match at the Oval.
England resumed @ 339/6 in the final innings, needing 35 runs to pocket the match and the series. England already up 2-1 in the Series. So, the math was simple and clear.
England makes 35 runs, wins the 5th test match and also the Series 3-1
OR
India takes 4 wickets quickly before England gets to score 35 additional runs, wins the 5th match and levels the Series 2-2.
A first time Test Captain for India Shubman Gill has been tested hard in this Series. Off the earlier 4 matches in the Series many pundits will say that India played sub-par and could have won more of the earlier matches.
But all that is in the rear view mirror.
Day 5 begins….England needs 35 runs and India needs 4 wickets.
Shubman trusted the old ball and did not take the new ball. Placed trust on his key bowlers and placed the fielders well. Obviously, India did not have the luxury of affording boundaries. And no misses on the field.
Every ball was a tense moment. Folks at the Oval and on the online screens did get to consume a lot of finger nails!
Runs were taken steadily, Wickets too fell. Chris Woakes walked in with his dislocated left shoulder packed tight in a sling under his T Shirt and sweater. Ready to swing his bat with his one good right arm. He was visibly grimacing in pain. He had to be kept at the non-striker’s crease. Gus Atkinson had to play smart and ensure that Woakes did not have to face a ball.
From the earlier day’s play, Siraj would have had the missed wicket of Brooks etched in his mind. He had taken the catch but stepped on the rope. A wicket was lost and six runs were gifted away.
Mohd. Siraj and Prasidh Krishna bowled really well. Atkinson was swinging his bat too. There was a missed stumping chance when Woakes was trying to get to the striker’s side on the last ball of an over. With gloves on, Jurel missed a sitter.
The Indian team rallied on.
Eventually Siraj took Atkinson’s wicket with six runs to spare. India won the match. Levelled the series.
Till the last ball was bowled, the last run was taken, the last wicket fell…. Both teams gave their best. What was seemingly impossible for Team India at the start off Day 05, was made possible!
Never has a drawn match caused so much revelry and celebration! Never has a 5-day test match been so tense.
Life too is like that.
You show up in each moment of your Life. You believe. You BE the best version of yourself. Give it your all.
Play the Game Of Life to its fullest.
Live Life To The Maximum!