How Did Siraj Achieve a Sensational Five-for to Lead India to a Six-Run Victory?

London, Aug 4 (NationPress) Mohammed Siraj transitioned from dropping a catch offered by Harry Brook to dismantling Gus Atkinson's off-stump, culminating in a remarkable five-wicket haul that propelled India to a thrilling six-run victory in the fifth Test against England, thereby leveling the series at 2-2.

Resuming play with England at 339/6, they required 35 runs to clinch victory, whereas India aimed to secure four wickets for an unexpected win on a tense final day. Siraj resumed from his impressive performance on day four, delivering an exceptional spell of 5-104 in 30.1 overs to lead India to a memorable comeback.

Joining forces with Prasidh Krishna, who recorded 4-126 in 27 overs, Siraj ensured that England lost their last four wickets for just 28 runs, providing a fitting climax to this thrilling series with a bowling display for the ages. This remarkable triumph marks India's narrowest victory in Test history.

As a light drizzle accompanied the electric atmosphere at The Oval, Jamie Overton set the tone for England by stylishly pulling the first ball from Prasidh Krishna for four, soon following it with another edge that raced past the stumps for another boundary.

However, India struck early as Jamie Smith attempted to poke at a short delivery from Siraj, edging it to Dhruv Jurel, who executed a vital low catch, dismissing the keeper-batter for just two runs.

Siraj continued to wreak havoc, finding the outside edge of Gus Atkinson, which narrowly evaded the slip cordon. Following Overton's pull that brought up England's 350, Atkinson managed three runs on the cut, with Ravindra Jadeja executing a brilliant dive to prevent a boundary.

Siraj struck again, trapping Overton lbw for nine with a full delivery, and despite the batter's review, the decision stood, inching India closer to a 2-2 series scoreline.

India's persistence with the old ball almost paid off when Prasidh trapped Josh Tongue lbw, but England's review came to their aid as replays indicated the ball was missing leg-stump. A brilliant delivery from Prasidh, a 141 km/h yorker, soon had Tongue castled, putting India on the brink of victory.

Despite Chris Woakes batting with his arm in a sling, Atkinson attempted a slog off Siraj, which was palmed over the wide long-on boundary for six. As the tension built, Atkinson didn’t take a single until the last ball of the 84th over, keeping the strike as Woakes narrowly avoided a run-out attempt from Jurel.

After a couple of runs, Atkinson managed a single to mid-on, maintaining his position for the next over. But Siraj triggered a wave of joy in the Indian camp by bowling Atkinson with a yorker that struck off-stump, securing an iconic Test match victory for India on the final day of a gripping series.

Brief scores:

India 224 and 396 defeated England 247 and 367 all out in 85.1 overs (Harry Brook 111, Joe Root 105; Mohammed Siraj 5-104, Prasidh Krishna 4-126) by six runs.