Mohammed Siraj delivered a performance for the ages as India edged out England by six runs in a heart-stopping fifth Test at The Oval, earning him the Player of the Match award. Siraj’s final-day five-wicket haul not only sealed India’s narrowest-ever Test win but also capped off a sensational series in which he emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets.
Coming into the final morning, England were comfortably placed at 301 for 6, needing just 35 runs to chase down a target of 374. Most expected a routine finish. But Siraj had other plans. He tore through the lower order with fire and precision, picking up the final three wickets in a dramatic spell of fast bowling. England were bowled out for 367, just seven runs short of victory.
Siraj’s five for 104 in the final innings was more than a statistical feat — it was a statement of temperament, resilience, and raw intent. What made his performance even more commendable was the mental turnaround he executed after dropping a crucial catch on Day 4, allowing Harry Brook to score a game-defining century. Instead of letting that moment haunt him, Siraj channeled the pressure into a match-winning performance the following morning.
Over the course of the five-Test series, Siraj stood out as the spearhead of India’s bowling attack. His 23 wickets came across a variety of conditions — from green tops to dry spells — showcasing his versatility and ability to adapt. More than raw numbers, it was the timing of his breakthroughs that made his performance series-defining. Whether it was removing key middle-order batters or closing out tailenders under pressure, Siraj consistently delivered when it mattered most.
Captain Shubman Gill praised Siraj’s mentality after the win, noting that his belief and aggression were vital to India’s comeback after being 2–1 down in the series. Siraj himself later said that he “always believed” in his ability to perform on the biggest stage — words he backed up with action in the most testing conditions.
Complementing Siraj was Prasidh Krishna, who picked up four wickets in the second innings, including those of Ben Bethell and Joe Root — breakthroughs that opened the door for Siraj’s final burst. The two worked in tandem to strangle England’s scoring and apply relentless pressure.
India’s batting contributions came earlier in the match, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring 118 and nightwatchman Akash Deep contributing a gritty 66 to set up a strong second-innings total. These runs proved crucial in the context of the narrow victory.
England, despite a strong position at various points, failed to close out the game. The collapse of their tail — losing the last four wickets for just 66 runs — was a combination of panic under pressure and Siraj’s incisive bowling. Even the dramatic appearance of Chris Woakes, injured and padded up with one arm in a sling, couldn’t prevent the inevitable.
In the end, it was Mohammed Siraj’s grit, skill, and timely dominance that turned the game and the series. With 23 wickets and a historic finish to his name, he didn’t just win Player of the Match — he cemented his status as one of India’s premier fast bowlers in modern Test cricket.