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Siraj’s Five‑For Delivers Epic Oval Win, Series Drawn 2‑2
In one of the greatest Test conclusions of the modern era, Mohammed Siraj seized the moment on a tense final morning at The Oval—declaiming a stunning five-wicket haul for 104 runs in just under an hour, and clinching a six-run victory for India that leveled the series 2–2. Every seat at the historic ground sold out for a finish that will go down as an all‑time classic.
The Brilliant Finish: How India Made It Happen
| Situation | Action |
| Target: 374 | England resumed at 339 for 6, still needing 35 runs to win. |
| Key wicket: Jamie Smith | Siraj triggered the collapse, removing him for 9. |
| Next: Jamie Overton | Back-to-back wickets saw England slip to 347 for 8. |
| Penultimate wicket: Josh Tongue | Bowling partner Prasidh Krishna castled him for 0. |
| Last: Chris Woakes at No.11 | He walked in with a dislocated shoulder (arm in a sling), the English last line of resistance. |
| Seal the game: Gus Atkinson | Atkinson hit Siraj for six to stoke hope, but Siraj’s lethal yorker knocked him out for 17, all out for 367. |
The final wicket left England agonisingly six runs short—and India celebrated their narrowest-ever Test victory by runs.
Siraj: Redemption and Command
Siraj’s match-winning figures of 5/104 check multiple milestones:
- It’s his highest and most crucial Test effort, often clocked over 130 kmph even in the late overs.
- After a dropped catch the previous day cost a wicket, his comeback could not have been more dramatic.
- His aggression and belief became the symbol of India’s grit right when they needed it most.
“It summarises what this team is all about,” said Captain Shubman Gill. “We believe if there is an opening, we can get through it.”
Gill’s Captaincy and India’s Depth
Shubman Gill’s first series as captain was a revelation:
- Four centuries and an average of 75.40, placing him second only to Don Bradman in early captaincy stats.
- He guided an under-strength side—without Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, or Ravichandran Ashwin in several matches—to close out games with poise.
Gill’s steady leadership mirrored the balance and belief his bowlers displayed in the finale—especially when the spotlight was on Siraj.
Series in Retrospect – Why It Mattered
- Five Tests over seven weeks, every single match going into Day 5, delivering drama in spades. Over 7,000 runs and 21 centuries across the series—a complete showcase of Test cricket’s enduring appeal.
- The Quintessential Test classic: from Headingley’s chase to Lord’s tight finish, Edgbaston’s one-sided blitz, to this final Oval decider.
- England captain Ben Stokes hailed it as “an incredible advert for the game,” acknowledging England’s near-win despite the missing pieces in their squad.
England: Brave But Fractured
Missing key personnel reshaped the contest:
- Chris Woakes, despite a dislocated shoulder, mustered courage to protect runs with one hand; England still faltered.
- Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer were also sidelined through the series—or left out—forcing a patchwork pace unit into the final Test.
- As England faltered from 301-3 to 367 all out, Stokes praised their fighting spirit: “That never-say-die attitude nearly paid off…”
What the Finish Says About Indian Test Cricket
- India’s rising bench strength—embodied by Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and others—is now ready for leadership. Development and youth infusion paid off spectacularly.
- With Shubman Gill firmly in charge, fresh leadership appears able to live up to a post-Kohli/SR era in Tests—a critical evolution.
- The willingness to win away from home—even after losing every toss and navigating injuries—reinforces India’s growing resilience and adaptability.
Looking Ahead
| Next Steps | What’s Expected |
| Tour to Sri Lanka or Pakistan | India may experiment with their pace attack (Siraj & Krishna) plus spin options—key to consolidating new leadership. |
| Home Tests & World Test Championship | Every point counts as India rebuilds rankings with a younger core. |
| Individual Milestones | Gill may challenge 1,000+ runs in the calendar year; Siraj is closing in on his 200th Test wicket. |
Whether this is the emergence of Test cricket’s next crop of leaders or merely one act in a riveting season, today at The Oval firmly stakes India’s claim for continued dominance on every surface and under pressure.
Final Thought
What unfolded at The Oval was not just a cricket match—it was a narrative about belief, timing, trust in your teammates, and seizing moments that matter. Mohammed Siraj’s magic delivered what was once unthinkable just hours before—a win by six runs, a drawn series, and a stage set for the next chapter in Indian Test ascendancy.
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