Mohammed Siraj was the name on every Indian cricket fan’s lips on Monday as he roared back from a dropped catch on Day 4 to deliver a stunning five-wicket haul that led India to a thrilling six-run win over England in the fifth and final Test at The Oval. The result saw the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy end in a dramatic 2-2 draw — a fitting finish to what Brendon McCullum called “the best five-match Test series I’ve ever been part of.”
India defended a modest fourth innings target of 190, restricting England to 367 all out, thanks to a spellbinding bowling effort led by Siraj (5/104) and Prasidh Krishna (4/126).
Day 5: Siraj Rises as India Script Oval Epic
Resuming the final day at 339/6, needing just 35 runs to seal the series 3-1, England were firmly in the driver’s seat. But India’s pace duo had other plans.
Jamie Overton set the tone early with two boundaries off Prasidh, but Siraj struck back immediately, dismissing Jamie Smith with a sharp short-of-a-length delivery that carried to Dhruv Jurel behind the stumps.
The pressure was relentless. Siraj trapped Overton LBW with a seaming full delivery — a decision that survived DRS — while Prasidh bowled Josh Tongue with a toe-crushing 141kmph yorker that lit up the stumps.
With just one wicket remaining, Gus Atkinson launched a counterattack, smacking Siraj over long-on for six. But Siraj had the last word. A perfect yorker shattered Atkinson’s off-stump and sparked wild celebrations as India clinched victory by six runs — their narrowest-ever win in Test history.
I have a wallpaper on my phone which says Belief. And I always believe in myself. I just focused on bowling in the right areas. I wasn’t too concerned if I conceded a boundary or not.
His grit was echoed by Shubman Gill, who praised the team's resilience in a high-pressure situation: “There was a bit of pressure on us, but the way we came through that spell was magnificent,” said Gill.
“Every Test we came on day four and day five, never knowing who was going to win. It just shows both teams came with their A game.”
McCullum: “A cracking series to be part of”
The match may have ended in heartbreak for England, but their coach Brendon McCullum was all praise for the quality and competitiveness of the series
That is the best five-match Test series I have ever been a part of and witnessed.
.“When Siraj took that final wicket, as much I was disappointed, I had admiration for him and the fight he has got as a cricketer.”
“2-2 was a fair reflection. It had hostility at times, camaraderie at times, great cricket… and some average cricket because of the pressure both teams were put under.”
Brief Scores: India: 224 & 396 England: 247 & 367 all out in 85.1 overs (Harry Brook 111, Joe Root 105; Mohammed Siraj 5-104, Prasidh Krishna 4-126)
India won by 6 runs. India’s narrowest Test victory ever. (Mohammed Siraj: 5/104, Prasidh Krishna: 4/126) England collapsed from 339/6 to 367 all out. Series result: India 2-2 England.
