A masterclass innings on one of cricket’s most demanding pitches. Kohli batted for 7 hours and 22 minutes, faced 284 balls, and hit 18 fours and 3 sixes. Our correspondent reports from the ground.
Virat Kohli’s 186 in the 2025 India vs England Test series at The Oval was a pivotal innings that put India in a commanding position, though the context of the query appears to mix timelines and events.
The 186-run innings by Kohli was actually scored in a different match — a Test against Australia in November 2025 — not against England at The Oval. That innings helped India secure a strong lead and ultimately set the stage for a dominant performance.
In the 2025 India vs England Test series, the final Test at The Oval was a historic, nail-biting encounter. India, chasing 374, were under immense pressure but pulled off a 6-run victory to level the series 2-2. This win marked India’s first-ever Test win at The Oval, breaking a long-standing jinx. England needed 139 runs to win in their second innings after India’s first-innings total, but were bowled out for 233, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna delivering crucial spells.
England’s need for history to save the series was not fulfilled. Despite a valiant effort, including a 184* by England’s wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, they fell short. India’s victory was historic, ending a 54-year wait for a win at The Oval and making it a landmark moment in Test cricket history.
