Subhayan Chakraborty in London
In a Test series that will be etched in cricketing lore, India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj channeled his inner Cristiano Ronaldo to deliver a performance that turned the tide in India’s favour. The fifth Test at The Oval culminated in a heart-stopping 6-run victory for India, leveling the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at 2-2 in a contest defined by grit, belief, and pace. Siraj, the only Indian fast bowler to feature in all five Tests, emerged as the series’ leading wicket-taker with 23 scalps, cementing his status as a national hero.
On Monday, Siraj’s player-of-the-match performance was the heartbeat of India’s triumph. Trailing 1-2, going into the final Test and without their talismanic leader Jasprit Bumrah, India stood on the precipice. “I believe in Jassi Bhai,” Siraj had said after India’s T20 World Cup win, but with no “Jassi Bhai” to lean on, the responsibility fell squarely on his shoulders. And deliver he did.
Bowling an astonishing 185 overs across the series, never dipping below 130 kmph, Siraj saved his best for the final day. Needing just 35 runs to win, England looked poised for victory when they smashed Prasidh Krishna’s first two deliveries for boundaries. But Siraj, fueled by an unshakable belief, roared back. “I believe in myself, and I always believe I can win the game in any situation,” he declared post-match, a sentiment his bowling had already screamed.
His first blow came when he induced an edge from Jamie Smith, caught by keeper Dhruv Jurel. In the next over, he trapped Jamie Overton LBW with a delivery that clipped the leg stump. Prasidh, who took four crucial wickets in the second innings, including Josh Tongue for a duck, complemented Siraj’s fire. With England’s Chris Woakes, nursing a dislocated shoulder and batting one-handed, at the crease, Siraj sealed the deal. A blistering 143-kmph yorker demolished Gus Atkinson’s off-stump, giving Siraj his fifth wicket of the innings and 23rd of the series. India’s narrowest Test victory ever, by just six runs, was secured.
The series, which saw an aggregate of 7,187 runs over 25 days, came down to that single moment. Siraj’s 1,113 deliveries across the five Tests underscored his workload and resolve. His four wickets for 86 in England’s first innings set the tone, but it was his three strikes inside an hour on the final day that turned the game. “I always say be honest in your game and believe that you can do it. Belief is very important for a professional player, nothing is possible without it,” Siraj said, reflecting on his five-wicket haul.
Drawing inspiration from his idol, football legend Ronaldo, Siraj revealed a personal ritual that fueled his mindset. “Usually I get up at 8 am, today I woke up at 6. Then I kept thinking, so I got on Google, took this image and made it my wallpaper,” he said, displaying his phone with a graphic of Ronaldo’s iconic ‘Siuu’ celebration and the word ‘Believe’ emblazoned across it. “I knew I could do it,” he added, a mantra that echoed in his performance.
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel, after Day 4, praised Siraj’s leadership, noting, “He’s a guy in that changing room who will lead the way; he’s a natural leader. Although vocally, he doesn’t speak a lot, I think he leads a lot with his actions.” Morkel revealed the team had considered resting Siraj for the final Test due to his heavy workload, but the pacer insisted on playing in Bumrah’s absence. “I have worked hard with good intentions, and I don’t wish bad for anyone. When you are one of the 11 to be selected from 1.4 billion, it is a big thing,” Siraj said, underscoring the weight of representing India.
The match wasn’t without its heart-stopping moments. On Day 4, Siraj took a catch to dismiss Harry Brook, only to realise he had touched the boundary cushion. Brook, then on 19, went on to score a century, shifting momentum. “I didn’t think I’d touch the cushion when I took it. It was a match-changing moment,” Siraj admitted. “We were behind the game after that but thank god. I always believe that I can win the game from any point and did in the morning.”
India’s decision to stick with the old ball, despite the option for a new one, proved pivotal. Captain Shubman Gill explained, “We did have the option for the second ball, but the way Siraj and Prasidh were bowling, we didn’t feel like we needed a new ball. Even though the ball was 80 overs old, we knew that they could do the job for us.” That trust paid off, as Siraj and Prasidh’s relentless pressure dismantled England’s chase.
“I’ll rate this series pretty high,” Siraj said, reflecting on the team’s fight, particularly from the youngsters. “The way everyone fought, it was special.” His 23 wickets outshone England’s Josh Tongue (19) and Ben Stokes (17), while Prasidh and Bumrah tied at 14 wickets, with Bumrah’s better average placing him higher.
In the end, this was a series defined not just by numbers but by heartbeats. Siraj’s Ronaldo-inspired belief, coupled with his unrelenting pace, turned a crumbling moment into a triumph. As he said, “My only plan was to bowl in good areas. It didn’t matter if I took wickets or went for runs.” That resolve, paired with Prasidh’s crucial support, ensured India’s redemption in a series that will be remembered for ages.
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