With England requiring just 35 runs and holding four wickets in hand at the start of play, the odds seemed to favour the hosts. But India’s fast bowlers, led by Siraj, had other ideas. Resuming on 339/6, England looked within touching distance of chasing down the daunting 374-run target
Mohammed Siraj (Pic: BCCI)
Mohammed Siraj produced a sensational final act as India pulled off a stunning six-run win over England on Day 5 of the fifth Test at The Oval, levelling the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series 2-2 in unforgettable fashion. With England requiring just 35 runs and holding four wickets in hand at the start of play, the odds seemed to favour the hosts. But India’s fast bowlers, led by Siraj, had other ideas.
Resuming on 339/6, England looked within touching distance of chasing down the daunting 374-run target. However, Siraj struck in his very first over of the morning, removing Jamie Smith with a perfect outswinger that kissed the edge and was safely taken by wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. The breakthrough gave India the early momentum they desperately needed.
We believe in Siraj bhai 🙇‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/0VAcFdsOr0
— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) August 4, 2025
Siraj didn’t stop there. In just his second over, he trapped Jamie Overton leg-before with a sharp delivery that tailed in. The decision was initially given out by on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena, and although Overton opted for a review, the ball was shown to be clipping leg stump, umpire’s call stood. England had suddenly slipped to 357/9, still needing 17 runs for victory.
While Josh Tongue remained padded up, it was Chris Woakes, nursing a shoulder injury and wearing a sling, who bravely walked out as England’s last man. But it was Gus Atkinson who stood between India and victory. With just seven runs left to defend, the pressure on India was immense.
Siraj held his nerve. In the 86th over, he bowled a fiery delivery that shattered Atkinson’s stumps, sparking wild celebrations from the Indian team. The pacer finished with four wickets in the innings, including three crucial blows on the final day that turned the tide decisively in India’s favour.
Prasidh Krishna also played a pivotal role, removing Joe Root on Day 4 and picking up a key wicket earlier in the morning session. England, once cruising at 254/3 courtesy of centuries from Root and Harry Brook, lost their last seven wickets for just 83 runs.
The result marks one of India’s most dramatic overseas Test victories in recent memory. With Shubman Gill leading the side in the absence of Rohit Sharma, the young team showed immense character to claw their way back from a precarious position.
By levelling the series 2-2, India not only denied England a series win at home but also retained the prestigious Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy — a symbol of modern Test cricket’s evolving rivalry.
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