Chris Woakes showed remarkable grit during the final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, coming in to bat at No 11 despite battling a significant shoulder injury as India were able to level the series in dramatic fashion.
The England all-rounder emerged wearing a sling in a bold and unconventional move that underlined his determination to support the team at all costs.
Woakes had picked up the injury on the opening day while fielding.
Chasing down a lofted drive from Karun Nair at mid-off, he landed awkwardly on his left side and was visibly in pain.
Chris Woakes showed remarkable grit during the final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, coming in to bat at No 11 despite battling a significant shoulder injury as India were able to level the series in dramatic fashion
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Medical staff quickly escorted him off the field, and he was later seen with his arm in a sling.
Even so, as wickets fell late on day four and into day five, cameras repeatedly showed Woakes padded up and ready to go.
He eventually made his way to the middle on Monday morning after Prasidh Krishna bowled Josh Tongue, bringing England down to their final wicket.
Woakes was visibly in pain as he ran, with Gus Atkinson the other man out on the field.
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In the end, however, it wasn't enough with India able to level the series and win the Test by six runs.
It was Mohammed Siraj who was the hero for the visitors, with the India star removing Atkinson with a stunning yorker.
Every India player out there then showed class by going up to Woakes, seemingly praising him for his heroic efforts.
The result means the five-match Test series ends in a draw, with both sides sharing the trophy after some enthralling action.
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Chris Woakes heroically played through the pain during day five of England's Test match with India at the Oval
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Joe Root, speaking to the press after day four, had already confirmed Woakes was prepared to push through the pain if the team needed him.
“I assume so. He is desperate to do what it takes. There is a lot of things that have to happen before that,” Root said.
“He’s all in, like the rest of us. It’s been that kind of series where guys have had to put bodies on the line.
"Hopefully it doesn’t come to that but he had some throw-downs in here at one point so he’s ready if needed.
"It shows the character and the person that he is, that he’s prepared to put his body on the line like that for England and hopefully he doesn’t have to, but if it does, to get us across the line and win us an incredible series.”
Root also confirmed that Woakes was in 'some pain'.
"Clearly, he's in a huge amount of pain having done what he's done," he added.
"It just shows, as we've seen from other guys in this series - [Rishabh] Pant batting with a broken foot, guys taking all sorts of blows here and there - but it means a huge amount to him."
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Mohammed Siraj was the hero for India as they beat England to level the series
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Sir Alistair Cook, speaking on BBC commentary, noticed Woakes grimacing in pain while running.
"I think running has caused the shoulder absolute agony," he said.
While Woakes and England were unable to win the Test, his bravery is something that will undoubtedly be discussed for many years to come.