Trisha Ghosal in London
There is justice in the universe. If you ever doubt it, Mohammed Siraj will make you believe.
Day 5. Lord’s. Third Test. Last session. India needed just 22 runs to script a famous win. Siraj, defending with a straight bat, held the pose like a proper batter. But the ball trickled back, kissed the stumps. Agony. He sank to the ground, gutted. England went 2-1 up. That image of Siraj — helpless, heartbroken — etched itself into the memory of Indian fans.
And yet, with Siraj, you can never question his commitment. His heart beats for his team. His eyes burn with belief.
Cut to Day 5 at The Oval. India and England in the decider of the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. England needed just seven runs to take the series. Gus Atkinson at the crease. Chris Woakes, injured but unbroken, stood tall at the non-striker’s end. One shot would’ve done it. One mistake from India would’ve handed England the trophy.
Enter Siraj. The same Siraj. Unflinching. Heart thumping. He ran in — fluid, fierce, full of purpose. And then — boom — he shattered the base of off stump. The roar, the relief, the redemption. India had levelled the series. Justice had arrived.
Earlier in the day, England had the game in their grasp. Jamie Overton started with back-to-back boundaries off Prasidh Krishna. But Siraj had something stronger than momentum. He had “Believe”. That’s what his phone wallpaper reads. It’s what fuels every stride of his run-up.
This morning, with England needing just 35 and four wickets in hand, Siraj bowled 4.1 overs and took 3/9. He was named the Player of the Match — rightfully so. But more than that, he was the soul of India’s fightback.
Siraj’s efforts may often go unnoticed. His story may not always grab headlines. But the universe? The universe is always watching.
And sometimes, when it matters the most — it answers back.
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