The India National Cricket Team reportedly found an unusual source of strength from a devotional chant during the must-win fifth and final Test of the recent Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against England at The Oval, and it did wonders for them.
The visitors went into the final encounter under huge pressure, as they were trailing 1-2 in the five-match Test series against England. A win was the only way for the young visiting team to level the Test series.
But things started badly in the first innings when early wickets fell, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul back in the pavilion at 38/2, and the mood in the dressing room dropped.
How Rudrashtakam lifted India’s spirits in the do-or-die Test at The Oval
And that’s when Raghavendra, the longtime throwdown specialist who is also known as Raghu, quietly played the Shri Shiva Rudrashtakam Stuti in the background in the dressing room. It was just an instinctual call that later became a routine.
As reported by Dainik Jagran, the Shri Shiva Rudrashtakam Stuti was played in the Indian dressing room for all five days of the fifth Test match against England, giving everyone a mix of calm and spiritual energy that they really needed at that point.
The players and support staff started to feel connected through the Shri Shiva Rudrashtakam Stuti. It helped them stay focused and positive during tense moments.
A member of India’s touring squad was quoted as saying by Dainik Bhaskar: “It wasn’t something we planned. But once it started, it became part of our environment. It brought this strange mix of peace and energy.”
Rudrashtakam created a kind of invisible bond in the team: an Indian player
One player revealed, “We often play music before or after sessions. It could be something upbeat or devotional, even the Hanuman Chalisa during practice. But five straight days of Rudrashtakam in a high-stakes test was something new. I won’t say we won just because of it, but there was definitely an energy boost.”
Even after Mohammed Siraj’s match-winning wicket of Gus Atkinson, Rudrashtakam was still playing in the dressing room, and some players kept the chant in their daily lives, playing it in their cars or during personal time.
A team member added, “Raghu made a great call playing it in the dressing room. It not only helped lift spirits but also created a kind of invisible bond in the group. It reminded us to stay grounded and focused.”
What is Shri Shiva Rudrashtakam?
Meanwhile, the Shri Shiva Rudrashtakam is a powerful Sanskrit prayer written in the 16th century by the poet-saint Tulsidas. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is often chanted to gain inner strength, mental clarity, and protection from negative forces.
Many believe that chanting the Rudrashtakam hymn with true devotion for seven days in a row can help remove big challenges and protect against enemies. It is said that Lord Rama himself recited the Rudrashtakam at Rameswaram, seeking Lord Shiva’s blessings before his final battle with Ravana.
Notably, the Indian cricket team is currently preparing for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE. The Indian selectors are expected to announce the squad for the tournament next week.