Oval Test cliffhanger fittingly heads into Day 5 with series still on the line
The first four Tests in this fiercely contested series between two flawed sides all went into a fifth day, but it seemed, for a while, that the Oval finale might conclude on the penultimate day. In the end, it did not.Both sets of players—and perhaps the fans—will now return for what might be just an hour or two of cricket on Monday. When England resumed on 50 for 1, still needing 324 runs to win on Sunday morning, India appeared to have the upper hand. They struck early, removing overnight opener Zak Crawley and stand-in captain Ollie Pope.Then came a pivotal moment—a dropped catch, or rather, a catch that turned into a let-off. Mohammed Siraj took a well-judged catch at deep fine leg off a mistimed pull from Harry Brook, only to step on the boundary rope, turning a potential wicket into six runs. Brook was on 19 at the time. The World No. 1 Test batter went on to punish India with a blistering 111 off just 90 balls—his maiden fourth-innings century in Test cricket.Brook and Joe Root broke India's resolve in the second session, amassing 153 runs at a rate of 5.43 per over. By Tea, England seemed to be cruising, needing just 57 more runs with six wickets still in hand.- EndsTune InMust Watch
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Hindustan Times
a minute ago
- Hindustan Times
'2-2, things could've been different': Sachin Tendulkar's bold verdict on Shubman Gill's captaincy in England series
India batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, on Tuesday, shared his verdict on Shubman Gill's captaincy during the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, where India held England to a 2-2 draw in the gruelling five-match series. It was Gill's first assignment as India's Test captain, following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the format in May, just weeks before the squad was announced for the tour. India drew the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series 2-2 against England Speaking in a video on Reddit, where he analysed various aspects of the series, Tendulkar said that while the result could have gone differently, he felt Gill did well in his debut captaincy stint. "All in all, a fantastic result. 2-2, things could've been different, but there are no ifs and buts in cricket," said Tendulkar. The former India batter also highlighted how Gill constantly searched for ideas, tweaking his plans each time England built a solid partnership. He noted that Gill remained calm and composed under pressure. "Captaincy has a lot to do with how the bowlers are bowling, how disciplined they are and how long they can persist with their plans," said Tendulkar. "Sometimes what happens is that if things are not going the bowlers' way, they start experimenting. That is when the captain feels that the fielders he has on the ground is not enough, he needs more, because runs will be coming from everywhere. "He still looked calm and composed, but when partnerships happen, it becomes difficult for any captain, and the priority becomes to dry their runs." Overall, Tendulkar was impressed with how Gill silenced Bazball throughout the series and denied them a win at home. "Overall I felt he controlled the team well. There were areas things could've been different but, everyone has their opinion. This was his first series and possibly against the most attacking side in Test cricket. I don't think any other team bats the way this England side does," he said. Tendulkar also analysed Gill the batter, who went on to score 754 runs in 10 innings across the series - the most by an Indian captain in a single Test series in history and the second-most after Don Bradman's 801 against Australia at home in 1937. "Shubman batted brilliantly throughout the series, he looked calm and composed, organised," said Tendulkar. "When it comes to quality batting, you've got to have a clear head and a game plan. And he was extemely consistent as far as his thought process is concerned because it reflects on your footwork. If you are not clear in your head, your body doesn't respond accordingly. His body responded brilliantly, he looked so much control he had so much time to play the ball. "There was precision in his footwork. The most important thing that I noticed was the respect to a good ball. Where the tendency sometimes is to push the ball on your front foot even if the ball is not near your foot, he was able to defend there. And consistently defend well on front foot. His ability to leave was very good. Overall, shot selection was very, very good and precise."
Deccan Herald
4 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Sizzling Siraj swings it India's way
A seesawing series that kept on giving till the final day of the final Test couldn't have ended on a better note as India completed one of their finest comebacks — their lion-hearted performer Mohammed Siraj rightfully providing the exclamation point. The 31-year-old, digging deep into his reserves on the final morning when India needed to bag four wickets and England had to get another 35 runs to clinch the series 3-1, produced an electrifying spell to fashion a nerve-jangling six-run win for the visitors that had the sold-out crowd at The Oval rise up in pure admiration. India and England justly shared the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2. The air was thick with tension in this South London venue as all four results were a possibility in a series where every match had gone into the final hour and both teams had traded blows in equal measure. Almost two hours before the start of play, fans had started to make their way into the historic venue which has been a theatre to several epic battles. What was supposed to be a busy Monday morning looked like a sporting Sunday afternoon. And they were not disappointed as Siraj (5/104) and Prasidh Krishna (4/126) dished out riveting performances that will be spoken about for a long time to come. The start was a bit anti-climactic though, as Jamie Overton pulled the first ball he faced from the incomplete Prasidh over for a boundary and then inside-edged the next one. And just like that the equation was reduced to 27 runs. It looked like England had come out with a definitive plan — Overton to play the big shots early on and reduce the margin as much as possible, and Jamie Smith to hold the other end up. The plan worked in the first three balls and India started to feel the jitters. Siraj, who has toiled hard the entire series without the acknowledgement he deserves, refused to give up, giving a sensational start. He beat the dangerous Smith two straight times before getting him finally off the third ball. He could have had another, but Gus Atkinson's edge fell just short of KL at second slip. Such was the level at which Siraj was operating, he was literally unplayable as batter after batter swung and missed his impeccable out-swingers. Every ball he bowled had a wicket written on it. It was tense, a game certainly not for the weak-hearted. Siraj then had his second scalp, umpire Kumar Dharmasena taking an eternity before raising his index finger to rule Jamie Overton out. Siraj was all pumped up and breathing fire. His energy rubbed off onto Prasidh, who sent back Josh Tongue with a 142 kmph bullet that crashed into the stumps. India were now sensing victory as Chris Woakes, with his left hand in a sling, walked out to bat to a rousing ovation with England needing 17. The pendulum refused to stay still as Atkinson rotated the strike with Woakes, who didn't bat a single ball. And when Atkinson smashed Siraj for a six to reduce the equation to 11, anything was possible. Somehow, England managed to keep fighting, and Atkinson took strike against Siraj with seven needed. Siraj took a moment to soak in the magnitude. He had to deliver in this over because he too was getting tired. It was now or it's over. Having bowled a lot of out-swingers, the Hyderabadi banked on his dangerous in-swinger. He came charging in and bowled a fast one. It was a classic 'you miss, I hit' ball. Atkinson missed it, the ball clattered his stumps and Siraj leapt in 'Siuuu' celebration before being embraced by his team-mates and support staff. Yes is the meaning of the word 'Siuuu' in Portuguese. Oh yes, India completed the Miracle of The Oval. A great finish to the series and a perfect start to Shubman Gill's reign.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
Tragic Hero To Fountainhead: The Mohammed Siraj Show Lights Up The Oval
Every sporting contest has a hero and a tragic hero. But not many times a tragic hero turns into a fountainhead. Mohammad Siraj was India's fountainhead as the team clinched one of the most memorable Test wins ever against England at The Oval. But the massive performance came after several lows. When Mohammad Siraj crossed the ropes on Sunday evening after taking Harry Brook 's catch, he stood there with his face hidden in his palm and in utter disbelief. Prasidh Krishna had begun celebrating a moment that would not last long. After India won the Oval Test by 6 runs, in the middle of massive moments of joy, Mohammad Siraj opened up to the broadcasters - 'What happened to me last night with Harry Brook's catch was unbelievable. I woke up in the morning and checked Google on my phone and took out a 'Believe' emoji wallpaper and told myself that I will do it for the country'. It was the spirit of Siraj that propelled India as the team refused to surrender even after the pounding they got from Brook and Joe Root on the 4th day of the test. Siraj stood along the boundary asking the crowd to cheer for Team India. With less than 40 runs on the 4th day of Oval test, Team India roared back. Mohammad Siraj bowled a spell of unplayable deliveries the beat the Englishmen consistently. He inspired Prasidh Krishna to send Joe Root back. England needed 37 runs at that stage. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj shouldered the responsibility of spearheading a depleted pace attack. He told Dinesh Karthik, 'I always believe that I can win the game from any point... My only plan was to bowl good areas. Didn't matter if I took wickets or went for runs." Siraj bowled more than any other bowler in the series, played all 5 tests and picked 23 wickets. There were times when he waged lonely battles. On Sunday evening, under grey Oval skies he bowled eight overs on the trot to keep the pressure on England. The boy from Hyderabad felt lonely and defeated at the end of the Lord's test after a passionate dive to drive India to a win where they fell short. He was a tragic hero at the end of the Lord's test. Jadeja asked him to remember his dad and play for him. Three weeks later... with a match haul of 9 wickets and a five-wicket haul, Siraj sang the redemption song. The 31-year-old right-arm fast bowler effectively drove the Indian attack by delivering 185.3 overs. After 25 days of intense test cricket in England, fans would be happy to zoom back on Siraj cam and watch the reels as they go viral.
