As the ball crashed into Gus Atkinson’s off stump, sealing a dramatic six-run win at The Oval, chaos broke loose. Mohammed Siraj stood with arms in the air, the Indian players rushed in from all corners, and the visiting dressing room erupted. But amid the euphoria, one image stood out. The image was that of captain Shubman Gill pacing toward head coach Gautam Gambhir before wrapping him in a tight, emotional embrace. Gill’s face lit up the moment he spotted Gambhir. In a series where India clawed back from difficult positions and answered every challenge, the duo found delight in that one moment. There were no words, just a long, heartfelt hug between captain and coach, summing up the relief, and joy of a thrilling end to a heavily contested series. The win had come on a nerve-wracking fifth day. England began strongly, with Prasidh Krishna leaking two boundaries in the very first over. But India refused to let go. Siraj, in fiery rhythm, sent back Jamie Smith with an edge and trapped Jamie Overton LBW, before finishing things off with a perfect yorker to Atkinson. He ended with 5 for 104 and 23 wickets in the series.In the end, it was India’s day. Twenty-five days of gripping cricket culminated in a Test match that had everything from tension to drama, and an unforgettable finale.
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The image of Gill and Gambhir embracing in the aftermath will remain etched in memory, but not just as a celebration of a victory, but of the partnership that helped script it.Earlier, Gambhir also shared a moment with England head coach Brendon McCullum. The India coach looked up in the air and touched his chest before meeting with McCullum and sharing an embrace.
