Trisha Ghosal in London
Twenty-five days of poetic chaos, five Tests of heart-stopping drama, and a final day that will live long in the memory. At The Oval, India pulled off one of the most dramatic heists in recent Test history, sharing the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy after ending the series 2-2, when defeat seemed written in stone.
The morning began with England needing just 35 runs and two good batters at the crease. But as has so often been the case, India found hope in Mohammed Siraj. With fire in his eyes and belief on his lips, literally — it’s the wallpaper on his phone — Siraj bowled with searing pace and unwavering purpose to slice through England’s lower order. His spell of 4.1 overs, 3/9, turned the tide and earned him Player of the Match.
Joining him in front of the press was India’s young captain, Shubman Gill, who watched his side claw their way back into a contest that looked all but gone. With the momentum restored and a famous Test win sealed, it was time to hear from the men who turned despair into delirium.
‘God had better plans for me’: Siraj reflects on Lord’s heartbreak
Siraj is not someone who hides his emotions. The heartbreak at Lord’s, where a straight-batted defence ended in a freak dismissal and a crushing loss, still lingers. But at The Oval, the pacer found his redemption.
“I’ll rate this series pretty high,” Siraj began. “The way everyone fought, especially the youngsters, it was special. At Lord’s, when that ball hit the stumps after I defended it, and the Brook catch went down… I think god had better plans for me. That’s why those things happened.”
Old ball, new belief: Gill explains the match-turning call
India’s decision not to take the new ball in the final stretch was bold, and questioned in real time. But captain Gill revealed that it was an informed, calculated risk.
“Yes, we had the option,” Gill said. “But the way Siraj and Prasidh were bowling, we felt the older ball would be more effective. The pitch had gone a bit up and down. The old ball was reversing. It felt like the better bet.”
And it paid off — Siraj castled Atkinson with a searing yorker.
‘Push them for boundaries, get them out’: India’s tactical shift
England’s aggressive mindset was no surprise, but India had a plan.
“We knew they’d come hard,” Gill said. “So the tactic was to tempt them — give them the boundary options and then take them out. That’s how we’ve played this whole series. Backing our bowlers to take wickets instead of waiting for mistakes.”
A second chance: Why Gill treasures Test cricket
For Gill, this win meant more than just a series-leveling result — it was a reaffirmation of his love for the longest format.
“The best thing about Test cricket is that it gives you a second chance,” he said. “No other format does that. You can fail one day and still come back the next. It’s the most rewarding format. And it should stay exactly the way it is.”
‘What we did this morning shows who we are’: Gill on India’s grit
Reflecting on the dramatic final morning, Gill summed it up simply: “What we did this morning kind of shows who we are as a team. The way Root and Brook were batting, most people didn’t give us a chance. But we kept coming. That’s cricket.”
He paused and added: “Moments like this make all the challenges of the journey feel worth it.”
Cristiano Ronaldo on his lockscreen: Siraj’s unexpected fuel
Siraj’s day began not with a team huddle or tactical chat, but with a wallpaper change.
“I woke up and downloaded CR7’s pic,” he said, grinning. “I kept it as my wallpaper for inspiration. He never gives up. That’s the mindset I wanted today.”
What if Woakes was on strike? Siraj’s answer doesn’t change
Asked what the plan would’ve been had Chris Woakes, batting with a dislocated shoulder, been on strike instead of Hus Atkinson, Siraj was unfazed.
“Kudos to him for walking out in that condition,” he said. “But my plan wouldn’t have changed. Just stick to what was working and go for the stumps.”
‘Every hundred has its own meaning’: Gill on his century
Having scored hundreds earlier in the series, Gill downplayed personal glory but admitted that each one carried a different kind of weight.
“Every century has its own significance,” he said. “Some are for the scoreboard. Some are for the soul.”
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