Mohammed Siraj steps up as India clinch thriller, draw series 2-2

Dubai: Mohammed Siraj had long operated as Jasprit Bumrah’s understudy, but at The Oval, the lion-hearted pacer from Hyderabad showed he’s ready to lead India’s bowling attack. With Bumrah missing the final Test, Siraj rose to the occasion with a brilliant five-wicket haul in the second innings for a match-haul of nine wickets, guiding India to a thrilling six-run victory and a hard-fought 2-2 draw in a series that showcased Test cricket at its dramatic best.

Day 5 began with England needing just 35 runs and India requiring four wickets. The tension was palpable — and it was Siraj who struck the first blow, dismissing Jamie Smith in the second over. In his next, he removed Jamie Overton to swing the momentum India’s way. Despite a brave stand by Gus Atkinson and an injured Chris Woakes, Siraj found the perfect yorker to uproot Atkinson’s off stump and seal the match.

It was a fitting redemption arc. Siraj had let key moments slip earlier in the series — bowled at Lord’s with just 22 needed for victory and overstepping after catching Harry Brook on 17, only for the batter to go on and produce a match-defining century. But at The Oval, Siraj turned those heartbreaks into match-winning moments.

“It’s just nice to see the rewards,” said India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel. “Siraj leads with his actions. Even if he doesn’t speak much, he’s the guy who puts his hand up, bowls those extra overs, and creates the energy when the team needs it. Today, again, he stepped up in the crucial moment.”

Prasidh Krishna, who had earlier removed both Joe Root and Brook in a fiery spell, finished with four wickets in the second innings, ensuring England never fully recovered from their collapse from 301 for 3 to 367 all out.

The series itself — now ending in a 2-2 draw — was a pulsating advertisement for the five-day game. Every Test swung on small margins, featured dramatic collapses and counterattacks, and showcased the emergence of new heroes. From Shubman Gill’s calm leadership to Siraj’s breakout performance as pace spearhead, India found fresh narratives in a post-Kohli, post-Rohit era.

“The spirit, the quality, and the unpredictability — it was everything Test cricket should be,” Morkel summed up.