England captain Ben Stokes has revealed players are 'bitterly disappointed' by their failure to win their Test series against India.
The Three Lions lost by six runs at the Oval on Monday, with Chris Woakes heroically coming out to bat one-handed.
India were deserving of a draw, however, with the tourists getting the result they wanted when Mohammed Siraj bowled Gus Atkinson.
Stokes, speaking to the BBC, has now hailed the way England played during the five Tests - while also admitting they're frustrated following their failure to come out on top.
England captain Ben Stokes has revealed players are 'bitterly disappointed' by their failure to win their Test series against India
|PA
"It's been an incredible series, all five games going down to day five, so much has been put into this series from both teams," said the England skipper, who was forced to miss the contest due to injury.
"The commitment and energy has been outstanding.
"Stood here now, we're bitterly disappointed we couldn't get the series win but myself being a massive advocate of the game of Test cricket, this series has been an unbelievable advert for it across the world.
"All the doubters saying it's dying a death, this series has said the opposite.
"Credit both teams. The amount of effort from both teams to end up here 2-2 is incredible.
"Losing Woakesy early on in the game changed the whole responsibility on the bowlers in particular, the roles they were selected for.
"The heart and passion and everything that was shown, especially in our second bowling innings, I thought was outstanding.
"But you can look back on a Test match that goes five days and pick out loads of moments as to why [we lost].
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Ben Stokes was proud of his England players despite their failure to beat India in their dramatic Test series
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"For us, to came out here to try and chase that total down in the way that we did was outstanding.
"That never say die, never back down attitude we've installed in the group nearly paid off for us. We couldn't quite get over the line."
England coach Brendon McCullum has also reacted.
He praised 'a hell of a series' and, like Stokes, admitted the camp was disappointed after being forced to settle for a draw.
"Not just an incredible hour - right throughout this Test match, it has been one of the all-time best Test matches," he stated.
"We turned up today with high hopes, but Mohammed Siraj and the passion of the Indian boys was too strong and ultimately they deserve to win this Test match.
"We had our chances we will look back on our dropped catches and the position we were in with the bat.
"You have to tip your caps sometimes, a guy playing in his fifth Test match bowling 30 overs, and 90mph to get the job done - fair play.
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| GETTY"You never expect things to go according to plan.
"I thought we put ourselves in a position with some wonderful bravery from Harry Brook and Joe Root. We were confident we could chase this down on a wicket which was getting better.
"We are disappointed, but at the same time we have had a hell of a series. Both teams have been part of the more memorable series that I can remember."