Mohammed Siraj Delivers a Fifer In India's Sensational Comeback Win; India Tie Series 2-2
India clinched a thrilling six-run win over England in the final Test, drawing the series 2-2. Siraj took 5/104, ending the tour with 23 wickets.
Mohammed Siraj's warrior spirit led India to a six-run victory over England in the fifth and final Test on Monday, levelling the series 2-2. With four wickets in hand and needing 35 runs, England had the upper hand at the start of play. However, Siraj made life difficult for the opposition batters from the very first ball.
In the end, his efforts, well-supported by Prasidh Krishna, narrowly defeated England, allowing India to finish the high-pressure five-match series with a draw. The decision to end play early on day four due to rain was questioned by Stuart Broad and Michael Vaughan, but it was fitting that the series-decider went to the final day with both teams fighting fiercely.
Prasidh Krishna, finishing his 23rd over overnight, started with a short ball that Jamie Overton pulled for a four. An inside edge on the next ball meant back-to-back fours, reducing the target to 27 runs.
Siraj, India's stoic warrior, made the old ball talk and got it to shape away. Jamie Smith (2) was beaten twice before edging a ball to the keeper, causing Indian fans in the stadium to erupt in unison. Every ball of that Siraj over was eventful.
'I always believe in myself, that I can pull off a win from any situation," Siraj said later of his performance that earned him nine wickets in the game, including a fifer in the crucial second innings.
After the breakthrough, a half chance was created against Gus Atkinson, but KL Rahul couldn't take it at second slip. In his next over, Siraj deceived Overton with a nip backer, reviewed by Overton, but clipping the leg-stump. England still needed 20 runs at that point.
Prasidh supported Siraj by trapping Josh Tongue in front with a full ball, reducing England to 350 for nine, and drawing a deafening roar from the crowd.
Next, Chris Woakes walked in with a broken left arm, prompting everyone in the stadium to stand in respect. This moment of courage was reminiscent of Colin Cowdrey's batting with a broken arm in 1963.
With Woakes unable to bat, Atkinson had to use the long handle. He targeted the straight boundary, clearing Akash Deep, who sent the ball over the ropes. The target soon came down to single digits, forcing India to take one final gamble.
With the field spread out, Siraj fired a yorker, shattering Atkinson's off-stump and bringing a heart-stopping end to the game.
Brief scores:
India: 224 and 396
England: 247 and 367 all out in 85.1 overs (Joe Root 105, Harry Brook 111, Ben Duckett 54; Prasidh Krishna 4/126, Mohammed Siraj 5/104).
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