The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally revealed its ratings for the pitches used during the intense India vs England Test series, and the verdict has sparked a fresh debate. The five-match India vs England Test series had a thrilling end at The Oval, where the tourists pulled off a dramatic six-run win to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2–2.
This five-match Test series, which was part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27, had everything from tense finishes to breakout performances to moments fans won’t forget anytime soon.
Mohammed Siraj emerged as a hero in the India vs England Test series
India finished the England tour on a winning note, thanks to Mohammed Siraj’s stunning spell. Siraj bowled Gus Atkinson to restrict England to 367, just shy of the 374-run target.
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The Indian pacer took nine wickets in the final Test match and finished the India vs England Test series as the leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets and won the Player of the Match award at The Oval.
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Chris Woakes also won applause for coming out to bat with his arm in a sling during the final moments at The Oval, where he had injured his shoulder badly. In a courageous move, he stood at the non-striker’s end as Atkinson tried to protect him and win the match for England in the fifth Test.
The Oval verdict awaited as ICC rates 3 pitches ‘Satisfactory’
Meanwhile, a Times of India journalist claimed that the opening Test of the India vs England Test series in Leeds received glowing praise, but the story was different for the remaining four Tests. He revealed that only the first test pitch was labelled as “very good” by the ICC.
However, the surfaces used in the next three Tests didn’t receive the same rating. Instead, the pitches at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, and Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester were rated merely as “satisfactory” by the ICC.
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However, the ICC has not yet rated The Oval pitch. The journalist posted on X: “ICC pitch ratings for the India vs England series: The pitch for the First Test at Leeds has been rated as ‘very good’; however, the pitches for the next 3 tests have been given a ‘satisfactory’ rating only. The pitch ratings for the 5th Test are not out yet. :)”
ICC pitch ratings fr the India vs England series: The pitch for the First Test at Leeds has been rated as ‘very good’, however, the pitches fr the next 3 Tests have been given a ‘satisfactory’ rating only #indiavsenglandtestseries
— Gaurav Gupta (@toi_gauravG) August 8, 2025
The pitch ratings fr the 5th Test are not out yet:) https://t.co/J0vzdliYkZ
— Gaurav Gupta (@toi_gauravG) August 8, 2025
India vs England Test Series Highlight:
1st Test – Headingley, Leeds
England took the early lead in the Test series with a solid five-wicket win, chasing down a challenging target of 371 runs despite India’s big first-innings score of 471 at Headingley. Ben Duckett stole the show with his game-changing knocks of 62 and 149 against India.
2nd Test – Edgbaston, Birmingham
India bounced back in style, crushing England by 336 runs. It was a special moment, as this was India’s first-ever Test win at Edgbaston. Indian captain Shubman Gill’s record-breaking knock of 269 set the tone, and later Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep did the rest of the job.
3rd Test – Lord’s, London
India fought hard in the third Test at Lord’s but lost by just 22 runs. The lower order came close to pulling off a stunning chase, but Siraj’s wicket conceded England a 2–1 series lead.
4th Test – Old Trafford, Manchester
India and England both fought hard in the fourth Test, but the match ended in a draw.
5th Test – The Oval, London
India held their nerve to win a thriller by six runs and level the series 2–2. Mohammed Siraj was the hero at The Oval.
