WATCH: Chris Woakes comes out to bat with fractured shoulder at Oval, crowd laud remarkable display of grit

Chris Woakes came out to bat with a serious shoulder injury. (Photo: ICC)

In a moment that brought the crowd to its feet, Chris Woakes emerged from the pavilion to bat carrying a serious shoulder injury. With his arm in a sling and pain etched on his face, Woakes made his way to the crease at the Oval in the fifth and final Test between India and England, prepared to bat left-handed and with just one hand.

The atmosphere shifted from tense to emotional as fans rose in unison, applauding the courage and determination on display. He wasn’t just facing the bowling attack—he was taking on the odds with a broken body but an unbroken spirit. Even with little chance of turning the game around, Woakes’ gesture was a powerful symbol of resilience and commitment to the team. This wasn’t just about runs. It was about heart. Watch the video here...

Arm in a sling, Chris Woakes has arrived to the crease  pic.twitter.com/D4QDscnfXE

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England, chasing a daunting target of 374, looked well on course at 339 for six when fading light and rain brought an early end to Day 4. But India came out with renewed intensity on the final morning, swiftly claiming the last four wickets. England ultimately fell just short, bowled out for 367 in 85.1 overs—missing the target by only seven runs.

Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna led the charge with the ball. Siraj picked up 5 for 104, while Krishna delivered crucial blows to finish with 4 for 126. Under immense pressure, the pair rose to the occasion and shifted momentum decisively in India’s favour.

After sealing the win, Siraj reflected on his self-belief: “I always have faith in my abilities. No matter the scenario, I back myself to pull it off for the team.”

The five-Test series had its share of dramatic highs and lows. England started strong, winning the opening Test at Leeds by five wickets. India roared back in the second Test at Birmingham with a commanding 336-run victory. The hosts edged ahead again with a tense 22-run win at Lord’s. In the fourth Test at Manchester, India displayed grit to force a draw on the final day.

In the series decider, centuries from Joe Root and Harry Brook had put England in a dominant position. But India’s never-say-die attitude shone through, as the bowlers scripted an unforgettable comeback on the final day, sealing a thrilling win and leveling the series at 2-2.