On August 1, 2025, during Day 2 of the Test match between England and India at The Oval, England players and fans wore white headbands to honor former England cricketer Graham Thorpe on what would have been his 56th birthday.
Thorpe was known for wearing a white headband during his playing career. In tribute, England players wore headbands ahead of Day 2, and many fans in the crowd joined in, creating a powerful moment of remembrance.
The tribute was part of “A Day for Thorpey”, organized by his family, Surrey Cricket, and the mental health charity Mind. The goal was to raise awareness for mental health and to support a special program called "Thorpey’s Bat and Chat", which uses cricket to help people open up about mental health.
White headbands were sold for £5, and all proceeds went to support this program. Graham Thorpe, who passed away in 2024 at age 55, played 100 Tests for England and was loved for his style, grit, and honesty, both on and off the field.
It was an emotional day, reminding everyone of Thorpe’s impact on cricket and the importance of mental well-being.
IND Vs ENG, 5th Test: Ollie Pope's Successful DRS Call Draws Applause From Ben Stokes As Yashasvi Jaiswal Departs Early; Video
England drew first blood in the final Test of the series at The Oval, as fast bowler Gus Atkinson dismissed India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for just 2 runs with a fiery delivery that crashed into the middle stump, thanks to a well-judged DRS call from captain Ollie Pope.
Bowling from around the wicket, Atkinson delivered one that jagged back sharply off a good length, angling in from outside off. Jaiswal, defending tentatively, brought his bat down at an awkward angle and was struck on the back pad. England appealed instantly for LBW, but the on-field umpire was unmoved.
There was an audible woody sound, prompting initial doubts, but Atkinson remained convinced, joined by enthusiastic voices from behind the stumps. Pope, equally confident, went upstairs for a review. On replay, it was clear: the bat and ball hadn’t connected. Instead, the ball brushed the front pad before thudding into the back pad.
Third umpire, after a brief check, confirmed no UltraEdge was needed. Ball tracking followed and it was damning for Jaiswal. Three reds lit up the screen as the ball was shown to be hitting middle stump. The on-field decision was overturned, and Jaiswal was sent back for 2 off 9 balls, leaving India at 10/1 in the early stages of the Test.
Captain Ollie Pope celebrated the successful review with a fist pump directed at the England dressing room, where injured talisman Ben Stokes, sidelined due to a shoulder issue, applauded the call. It was a moment of sharp captaincy and precise bowling, giving England the ideal start in a high-stakes encounter.
