Lion-hearted Mohammed Siraj starred with his sensational five-wicket haul (5/104) as India registered a thrilling 6-run win over England in the fifth and last Test at the Oval to level the five-match series 2-2 on Monday.
Both teams entered the fifth day with victory in sight – England needed just 35 runs, while India required 4 wickets. Starting the Day 5 at 339 for six, Jamie Overton looked to shift momentum early, smashing two quick boundaries to pile the pressure on India. However, Mohammed Siraj gave India a much-needed breakthrough by removing Jamie Smith with Dhruv Jurel taking a brilliant catch.
Siraj then set up Jamie Overton brilliantly, trapping him lbw and swinging the momentum firmly in India’s favour. Thereafter, Prasidh Krishna joined the action, delivering a searing yorker that rattled the stumps to dismiss Josh Tongue, bringing India within touching distance of a famous win.
Chris Woakes heroically walked out to bat despite battling a shoulder injury, keeping England’s hopes alive. England’s last hope Atkinson smashed a six against the run of play, cutting the target down to just 11 runs.
Finally, Mohammed Siraj rattled the off stump of Gus Atkinson to bowl out England for 367 runs in 85.1 overs and hand India a memorable victory by the barest of margins – just 6 runs – and levelling the series 2-2 in thrilling fashion.
Test cricket… absolute goosebumps.
SUPERMEN from INDIA! What a Win. pic.twitter.com/ORm1EVcbRH
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 4, 2025
TAKE A BOW, MOHD. SIRAJ!
Scorecard https://t.co/Tc2xpWMCJ6#Teamindia | #Engvind pic.twitter.com/opZZ53Xnxh
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2025
After his big-hearted effort, Siraj said that he had belief in his ability to produce a win for the country.
“I always believe in myself, that I can pull off a win from any situation,” he told the broadcaster.
