Can Mohammed Siraj's Five-Wicket Haul Lead India to a Dramatic Six-Run Victory and Level the Series 2-2?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mohammed Siraj delivered a match-winning five-wicket haul.
- India's young players stepped up in the absence of veterans.
- The final day saw a dramatic turnaround in fortunes.
- England collapsed from a strong position, showcasing India's bowling prowess.
- The series is now level at 2-2, setting the stage for an exciting finale.
London, Aug 4 (NationPress) Mohammed Siraj put on an electrifying performance with a stunning five-wicket haul, propelling India to a breathtaking six-run victory over England at The Oval. This remarkable win allowed India to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at 2-2.
As Day 5 commenced, England required a mere 35 runs with four wickets still in hand, positioning them as the clear favorites. However, the relentless Indian seamers delivered a masterclass, dismantling the English lower order and pulling off one of the most memorable overseas victories.
Siraj's initial burst was nothing short of dramatic. He struck twice within moments: first, Jamie Smith edged a delivery outside off to Dhruv Jurel, confirmed by UltraEdge's sharp spike. Next, Jamie Overton fell victim to a brilliant nip-backer, leading to a failed review as the ball-tracking upheld umpire Kumar Dharmasena’s decision.
Then came Prasidh Krishna, delivering a lethal 141 kph yorker that obliterated Josh Tongue’s stumps, igniting wild celebrations among the Indian camp. England, once comfortably placed at 347/6, plummeted to 354/9. With just one wicket left and needing 20 runs, Chris Woakes, who was battling a dislocated shoulder, bravely limped to the crease.
The climax unfolded shortly after, as Siraj bowled a perfect delivery, resulting in Gus Atkinson, who had valiantly scored 17, nicking behind to secure India’s thrilling six-run triumph.
This victory symbolizes a remarkable resurgence for a youthful Indian squad led by Shubman Gill in the absence of seasoned veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their absence was felt earlier in the series, but India's young talent, energized by a fierce pace lineup and moments of brilliance, seized the opportunity.
Earlier, centuries from Joe Root and Harry Brook on Day 4 had brought England back into the contest. However, India’s discipline and composure ultimately prevailed, leading to an exciting 2-2 conclusion to this gripping five-match series.
Brief scores: India 224 & 396 in 88 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 118, Akash Deep 66; Josh Tongue 5-125, Gus Atkinson 3-127) beat England 247 & 367/10 in 85.1 overs (Harry Brook 111, Joe Root 105; Mohammed Siraj 5-104, Prasidh Krishna 4-126) by six runs.