New Delhi: An aggregate of 7,187 runs were scored in the India-England series that unfolded over 25 days. But in the end, it came down to just six runs! When Mohammed Siraj, who played all five Tests and bowled 1,113 deliveries, demolished Gus Atkinson’s off-stump on the fifth day of the last Test at The Oval, England were just seven runs away from a Test and series victory.
But that 143-kmph yorker not only gave Siraj his fifer, it ensured the series drew level 2-2 and the cricketing world got a match to savour for ages.
Siraj had four scalps for 86 in the first innings and he finished the series as the leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets under his belt. He was followed by England’s Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes with 19 and 17 wickets respectively.
Jasprit Bumrah played only three matches and is tied with Prasidh Krishna—who took four wickets in the second innings—at 14 wickets. However, Bumrah ranks higher due to a better average. Notably, Siraj was the only Indian fast bowler to feature in all five Tests, shouldering a heavy workload throughout the tour. He bowled more than 180 overs.
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel revealed that the team had considered resting Siraj for the final Test, but the ever-energetic pacer insisted on playing in Bumrah’s absence.
“I said it earlier in the Test series, I’m very happy for Siraj that he’s getting the recognition. 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 said at the press meet on Day 4.
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The final day
England needed just 35 runs to win when the play started on the fifth day of the final Test match. And, when they smashed Prasidh Krishna’s first two deliveries for boundaries, the chase looked all but over.
But in comes Siraj. First, he got Jamie Smith edged to keeper Dhruv Jurel. And, in the next over, he trapped Jamie Overton LBW with a delivery that clipped the leg stump.
Krishna, who had taken three wickets on Day 4, came back with some confidence and bowled Josh Tongue for a duck.
But as Tongue walked out of the ground, out came an injured Chris Woakes with a sling around his arm. He was injured on day 1 of the Test and probably dislocated his shoulder. When he came into bat, he wore a sling. He would have to bat one-handed and left-handed. But it did not come to that.
With Woakes yet to face a ball, Siraj delivered the final blow by clean bowling Gus Atkinson for 17, sealing the win for India by 6 runs and cementing his place in the hearts of cricket fans around the world.
“My only plan was to bowl good areas. Didn’t matter if I took wickets or went for runs,” Siraj said in the post-match interview.
Sure enough, he was reminded of the Harry Brook catch on day 4 that he took but touched the boundary cushion. Brook was on 19 and went onto score a blistering century. “I didn’t think I’d touch the cushion when I took it. It was a match-changing moment. Brook got into the T20 moment. 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,” Siraj said.
Root & Broad on Siraj
Speaking at the press conference at the end of day 4, Joe Root, who also scored a skillful century in the second innings, praised Mohammed Siraj for his passion and team-first mentality. He called him a “warrior” and a “very skillful player”.
“He’s a character. He’s a warrior, a real warrior. He’s someone you want on your team; he’s that kind of character. He gives everything for India, credit to him for that,” Root said.
“He tries incredibly hard, he’s a very skillful player, and there’s a reason he’s got the wickets he has, it’s because one, his work ethic, and two, his skill level.”
After Virat Kohli, if one player is known for their fiery and on-field celebrations, it’s Siraj. But, Root said that much of it is performance-based and dubbed his anger as “fake”.
“The way he approaches cricket, he’s got this fake-angryness about him sometimes, which I can see right through. You can tell he’s a really nice lad,” added Root.
Veteran pacer Stuart Broad also applauded Siraj’s impact throughout the series.
“I’ve loved watching Mohammed Siraj in this series, he’s been superb throughout. But whenever there’s a bit of controversy, you look in the back of the television screen and it’s Mohammed Siraj clapping away and cheering and smiling,” said Broad.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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