Siraj redemption seals epic win as India level Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2

After facing fierce criticism for dropping Harry Brook’s catch on Sunday at the boundary, Mohammed Siraj roared back on Monday like a man on a mission, writes Faraz Akram Khan. In a dramatic turnaround, Siraj emerged as India’s match-winner, delivering a fiery final spell that powered the team to a sensational six-run victory in the fifth Test at The Oval thereby leveling the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2.

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The final day began with England needing just 36 runs with four wickets in hand, a seemingly straightforward task with the way Joe Root and Brook had batted earlier, as both scoring centuries to put England on top. However, what followed was a gripping display of nerve, resilience, and precision bowling from the Indian pace battery.

Siraj, who had been under the scanner for his fielding lapse, turned the tables in remarkable fashion. Bowling with renewed purpose and aggression, he accounted for three of the last four English wickets, including a searing yorker that shattered the stumps of Gus Atkinson. His final spell wasn’t just about pace; it was about redemption and he delivered with warrior-like grit.

Injured Chris Woakes added to the drama when he came out to bat left-handed, despite suffering a dislocated shoulder. His action earned applause, but it wasn’t enough to drag England across the finish line. England, chasing 374, were eventually bowled out for 367  falling agonisingly short by just six runs in one of the most thrilling climaxes in recent Test history.

The match had its fair share of tense moments. From India’s batting collapse to England’s strong middle-order fightback, the game swung like a pendulum. But in the end, it was India’s unrelenting pace attack, led by Siraj’s spellbinding burst that sealed the deal.

This victory not only helped India square the five-match series 2-2, but also served as a testament to their fighting spirit turning the tide when defeat seemed imminent.

Mohammed Siraj has toiled through 154 overs in this grueling Test series more than any other bowler from either side, be it India or England. It’s a staggering feat that speaks volumes not just about his fitness, but his unwavering commitment and relentless spirit.

Series after series, spell after spell, Siraj has charged in with the same fire in his eyes, the same aggressive intent, and the same tireless work ethic that has become his trademark. While others rotated in and out under workload management protocols, Siraj had no such luxury. There were no rest days, no reduced spells just pure, unfiltered effort.

Used like a bowling machine by the Indian team, Siraj embraced the challenge, rising to the occasion every single time. And what’s remarkable is not just the quantity, but the quality he delivered across those overs consistently troubling batters, picking crucial wickets, and injecting energy into India’s attack when it was needed the most.

In an era where fast bowlers are often handled with extreme caution, Siraj’s ironman-like performance stands out as a symbol of grit, durability, and unshakable resolve.

After the match was over, Michael Vaugham posted on X: “Amazing talent on both teams but if I had to choose one player from either team it would be @mdsirajofficial .. His efforts throughout the series have been incredible…”

It was a series that truly tested the grit, stamina, and skill of Mohammed Siraj and he rose to the occasion like a champion. The fiery pacer scalped 23 English wickets across the five-match Test series, emerging as a spearhead of India’s pace attack in swinging English conditions. In doing so, he etched his name in the record books as only the second Indian bowler after Jasprit Bumrah who was rested for this series to claim more than 20 wickets in a single Test series on English soil.

Siraj saved his best for the grand finale. At The Oval, in the fifth Test played from July 31 to August 4, he delivered a sensational performance taking 4 wickets for 86 runs in the first innings and following it up with 5 for 104 in the second. These two outstanding spells not only rattled England’s batting line-up but also helped Siraj script a historic milestone: He became the first Asian bowler to dismiss four or more batters in an innings on seven separate occasions in England a testament to his relentless aggression and adaptability with the red ball.

Under the captainship of Suman Gill, India’s young team played well to draw the series that too in the absence of veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have taken retirement from Test cricket.

Under the leadership of Suman Gill, India’s young and relatively inexperienced squad rose to the occasion and showcased remarkable resilience to draw the hard-fought Test series and that too without the presence of stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom have bid farewell to the longest format of the game.

In the absence of these seasoned veterans, the next generation of Indian cricketers stepped up with maturity and hunger, proving that the future of Indian Test cricket is in capable hands.

After 5th Test heroics, Siraj said he bowled every ball for the country and not for himself.

“To be honest, my body is fine right now, because there have been almost 187 overs in this series. But you play for your country, and you give your everything, and then you don’t think about whether you bowled six overs or nine overs. I believe that I bowl every ball for the country and not for myself. You play for the country and give your everything; the rest is not in your control,” Siraj said.

“I took 20 wickets in Border-Gavaskar Trophy. When Jassi bhai was performing, my aim was to build those partnerships with him, because I did not want to leak runs. So, it was about building pressure. But I know that I can pick up wickets from any situation. I just want to give my 100 per cent and take things in my stride,” he said.

However, he ensured that India had the last laugh. “After Lord’s Test and that dropped catch of Brook, I asked myself why such things always happen to me? But then, the Almighty has written some good things about me as well,” he said, looking at the medal after guiding the team to one of its iconic wins.”