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Mohammed Siraj delivered a memorable performance at The Oval, claiming a stunning five-wicket haul on Day 5 to help India clinch a thrilling six-run victory and level the series 2-2. His fiery spell dismantled England’s lower order, securing one of India’s most hard-fought Test wins in recent memory.
However, Siraj’s journey in the match wasn’t without setbacks. On Day 4, he dropped a vital catch of Harry Brook when the batter was on 19. The ball, bowled by Prasidh Krishna, slipped through Siraj’s hands as he stumbled near the boundary ropes. Brook made the most of the reprieve, launching a counterattack that led to a well-crafted century, putting India under pressure.
Recalling that moment after the match, Siraj admitted to feeling responsible. “When that happened, I felt like the match had slipped away. If we had gotten Brook then, it could’ve been a different game. It felt like a turning point,” he said in a post-match chat with Cheteshwar Pujara. “But when I woke up the next morning, I told myself that I would change the game. I even searched for a 'believe' emoji and set it as my phone’s wallpaper.”
Determined to make amends, Siraj struck early on Day 5, removing Jamie Smith in his first over and setting the tone. He then sent Jamie Overton and Gus Atkinson back to the pavilion, sealing the dramatic win.
Sharing insights into his approach, Siraj emphasized discipline over innovation. “My plan was simple—hit the same line and length outside off-stump. I didn’t want to experiment too much. That kind of pressure works against batters,” he explained.
Siraj ended the series as the leading wicket-taker, with 23 dismissals to his name. Reflecting on the team’s performance, he expressed pride in the resilience India showed throughout the series, which went the distance in every match.
