Mohammed Siraj came, rose and conquered England
35 runs were needed for England on day 5 to win the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 at Kennington Oval Ground. But India’s sole focus was on how to take the remaining four wickets. Mohammed Siraj, who earned massive praise from everyone on day 4, stole every Indian fan’s heart with another terrific bowling performance on the fifth day morning. If India had to win the game, it was that man, Mohammed Siraj, who needed to deliver with the ball, and he did it so emphatically.
Siraj started the spell after Prasidh Krishna began the day with an eight-run expensive over. India desperately needed a wicket at that point, and the 31-year-old got the big wicket of Jamie Smith as the latter, once again, poked a delivery outside off away from his body. What followed was a four-run over from Prasidh Krishna, cutting down the deficit to 21 runs. India still needed three more wickets. Jamie Overton got two boundaries off Krishna and raced to 9 off 17. However, Mohammed Siraj didn’t let him prosper as he trapped him leg-before to help India get the second wicket of the day.
India needed one more wicket to take control of the game, knowing that Woakes wasn’t fit enough to bat. Siraj couldn’t pick a wicket in his next over, giving away 1 run. But, Prasidh Krishna bowled a beauty from the other end, surprising Josh Tongue with an inswinging yorker.
Just a wicket left now, and the Indians could sense the victory
Siraj would have been eager to get the final wicket, but instead he was smacked for a six in the next over from Atkinson as all the happy faces soon turned grim. Nevertheless, England added four more runs, and Siraj, once again, got the ball in hand.
Just seven runs needed now!
The Indian pacer steamed in and nailed the yorker to shatter the off-stump. Atkinson, perhaps, wasn't expecting the yorker, let alone being bowled with such precision in such a tense moment. India won the fifth Test by 6 runs as the crowd went ballistic. There was just one name on everyone’s lips, and it was none other than Mohammed Siraj.
Yeh #NayaIndia hain, ye haar kar, phir jeetna jaanta hai 💙
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 4, 2025
Mohammed Siraj lands the winning blow to script a historic victory at The Oval 🔥#SonySportsNetwork #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings | @mdsirajofficial pic.twitter.com/rmoemQV7e0
He completed another five-wicket haul and finished the series with 23 wickets in four Test matches at 32.43.
Mohammed Siraj’s spell of 4 for 86 sparked the turnaround
India wouldn’t have won the fifth Test and leveled the series if Siraj hadn’t delivered the spell of 4/86 in the first innings. India were bowled out for just 224 in the first innings and, in response, England were 142/2 at one stage with the likes of Root, Brook, Bethell, and Jamie Smith to follow.
The four pacy deliveries angling into the batters led to the dismissals of Root, Pope, Bethell, and Brook. The first three Englishmen went back in short intervals as England slipped from 142/2 to 195/5. That’s where the game turned around, and Siraj should be proud that what he delivered was a warrior spell.
From heartbreak at Lord's to jubilation at The Oval ❤️
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 4, 2025
What a difference a couple of Test matches makes for Mohammed Siraj 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/YmIClbu6th
Mohammed Siraj ended the series as the highest wicket-taker for India
There was no Mohammed Shami. Ishant Sharma’s heroic performances in England were a thing of the past. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had retired from Test cricket, while Jasprit Bumrah was only going to play only three Tests. In such a scenario, much of the discussion focused on India’s batting unit—and whether Bumrah could be persuaded to play one more Test.
Amidst it all, Siraj came, Siraj rose to the occasion, and Siraj conquered. He played all five Tests, bowled more than 1000 deliveries, and with the same intensity.
Siraj has picked 23 wickets in the series- the most in this series. And, after witnessing his performance, India would believe that they have developed a pacer who can bowl his heart out and step up in crunch situations- something which Jasprit Bumrah has been doing for some time now.
“Yes, I always believed in myself that I will do it for the team." Mohammed Siraj said after taking India to a 6-run win in the fifth Test and leveling the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2.
