The five-match Test series between India and England ended with the visitors winning the finale, thereby drawing level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at 2-2.

Apart from the riveting contest between bat and ball, the series witnessed several fiery on-field and off-field confrontations. From Shubman Gill’s clash with Zak Crawley at Lord’s to Mohammed Siraj’s exchange with Ben Duckett, and Gautam Gambhir’s heated moment with the Oval curator, tempers flared throughout the England tour.

However, England skipper Ben Stokes downplayed the altercations, saying such incidents are common in a hard-fought series and that once the match ends, players move on and let bygones be bygones.

“Yeah, it’s been awesome. You know, India-England is always a massive series. There are always going to be moments where emotions come out from both sides, especially when the game is on the line,” Stokes told Sky Sports.

“I’ve said it a few times before—I don’t think any of my lads are going to sleep crying over what was said. And I don’t think any of the Indian players have been going to bed crying over it either.

“I think it just shows the passion and desire that everyone has when representing their country with their nation’s flag on their chest.”

India won the fifth Test against England at the Oval by a narrow margin of six runs. England were in a dominant position on Day 4 when Harry Brook (111) and Joe Root (105) combined for a 195-run fourth-wicket stand that propelled the hosts past 300. At 301/3, they were favorites but Indian bowlers staged a great fightback, claiming three late wickets to reduce them to 339/6 at stumps.

On the final day, the Three Lions were 35 runs away from chasing a 374-run target, with four wickets in hand. However, Siraj ripped through England’s lower order, ending their innings at 367.