Siraj’s Five-For Seals Thrilling Win as India Draw Series at The Oval
India defeated England by 6 runs in a nail-biting 5th Test at The Oval. Mohammed Siraj starred with 5/104 in the second innings. England, chasing 374, fell short at 367 despite centuries from Root (105) and Brook (111). Jaiswal (118) and Akash Deep (66) led India’s batting effort. The series ended 2-2 in the World Test Championship.
After four days of intense cricket, the fifth day of the final Test match between India and England brought a thrilling end to a series that had fans on the edge of their seats. The series was tied at 2-2, and this last day, though short, packed enough drama to make it one of the most memorable finishes in Test cricket history. India, led by Mohammed Siraj’s fiery bowling, clinched a heart-stopping victory, while England, despite being a player short due to Chris Woakes’ injury, pushed the game to its limits. The match ended with India winning by just 7 runs, marking one of the closest victories in their Test history.
Mohammed Siraj’s Scripts a Strong Fight
The day started with England needing 20 runs to chase down India’s target of 374, with two wickets remaining. Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton were at the crease, while Chris Woakes, nursing a severe arm injury and wearing a sling, was prepared to bat one-handed if needed and India’s plan was simple: rely on their pace bowlers, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, to take the final wickets quickly. The atmosphere was electric, with Indian fans roaring and England supporters hoping for a miracle. Siraj, who had already taken four wickets by the end of day four, was the man India turned to, and he didn’t disappoint.
Day 5 Ready!
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2025
Action time at the Oval 🙌
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In the 78th over, Siraj bowled a tight spell, keeping the pressure on. He swung the ball both ways, making life tough for England’s batsmen. Overton, facing a fullish delivery, was cramped for room and got an under-edge on a pull shot, which wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel grabbed diving to his left. The next ball, Atkinson drove a pitched-up delivery to mid-off but found no run. Siraj’s ability to mix his lengths and swing the ball at speeds touching 90mph kept England guessing. Overton managed a single off a short ball, pulling it to deep square leg, bringing England’s total to 349/7. The target was now just 25 runs away, but India were in control.
The 79th over saw Siraj strike a massive blow. Jamie Smith, England’s wicket-keeper-batsman, tried to counter Siraj’s late swing by walking down the pitch. Siraj bowled a wide length ball that shaped away, and Smith, reaching for it, nicked it to Jurel. The keeper took a sharp low catch at shin height, and after a tense check by the third umpire, the catch was confirmed clean. Smith walked back for 2 off 20 balls, leaving England at 349/7. The Indian team erupted, and Siraj’s fiery celebration, with a hand on his head, showed how much the moment meant. England’s hopes now rested on Atkinson and Josh Tongue, with Woakes as the last man, barely able to bat.
Three more to go!
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2025
Mohd. Siraj gets Jamie Smith in his first over of the day!
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Prasidh Krishna took over in the 80th over, and he kept the pressure on. He bowled a perfect length ball that beat Atkinson’s pull shot, hitting him around the waist. Atkinson, refusing a single to keep the strike, showed England’s determination to fight. Prasidh then bowled a yorker that hit Tongue’s boot, prompting a huge appeal from India. The umpire turned it down, and replays showed the ball was missing the leg stump. Tongue, struggling to score, was beaten again by a back-of-a-length ball that straightened and rose, missing his outside edge. England’s score crept to 355/8, with 19 runs needed, but the drizzle falling on the ground added to the tension.
The 81st over brought more drama. Siraj, with two slips and a gully in place, bowled a zippy outswinger that Tongue couldn’t connect with. The ball angled in towards off before swinging away sharply, beating Tongue’s attempted cover drive. Another outswinger followed, and Tongue, stuck on the leg stump, missed by a distance. Siraj’s swing was relentless, and he nearly had Tongue again with a length ball that angled in and was defended awkwardly. Atkinson took a single off the last ball, guiding a wide delivery to deep backward point, bringing the target down to 18 runs.
LBW!
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2025
Mohd. Siraj has another 🔥
England 8⃣ down!
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Prasidh returned for the 82nd over and delivered a masterclass in deception. Signalling a short ball by moving the third man fielder back, he instead bowled a 142kph yorker on leg stump. Tongue, expecting a bouncer, lost his balance trying to drive straight, and the ball smashed through his defense, sending both bails flying. The crowd went wild as Tongue walked back for a 12-ball duck, leaving England at 357/9. Prasidh pumped his fists, and India were now one wicket away from victory. Woakes, with his left arm hidden in his sweater and his right arm strapped, walked out, barely able to hold the bat. Atkinson, still at the crease, had to take on the bulk of the scoring.
In the 83rd over, Siraj nearly ended the match. He bowled a leg-stump yorker at 90mph that Atkinson missed, swiping across the line. The ball narrowly missed leg stump, leaving Siraj stunned. But Atkinson fought back, smashing a stunning six over cow corner off a full delivery and Akash Deep, fielding a few yards in, misjudged the catch, tipping it over the boundary as he jumped backward. The shot brought England’s target down to 11 runs, and their fans roared with hope. Siraj, biting his collar in frustration, stuck to his plan, bowling a full ball that Atkinson ballooned off a top edge. It landed safely around short midwicket, keeping the game alive.
TIMBER!#TeamIndia just a wicket away from victory now!
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2025
Prasidh Krishna gets his FOURTH!
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The 84th over saw Prasidh mix his lengths to keep Atkinson guessing. Atkinson survived a wide yorker that went under his bat as he tried to scythe it square. Another delivery, a low full toss, was driven for a single to long-on, with Jurel removing his gloves in anticipation of a potential bye and Woakes, running through immense pain with clenched teeth, made it to the other end, showing incredible grit to keep Atkinson on strike. Prasidh missed a yorker, and Atkinson slapped a shin-high full toss for two runs, with Ravindra Jadeja diving at cow corner to stop a boundary. England were now at 364/9, needing just 10 runs, but India’s bowlers were relentless.
The 85th over was the decisive one. Siraj, with a sole slip in place, bowled a scrambled-seam delivery that Atkinson reached for but missed, allowing England to sneak a bye. Woakes, grimacing, completed the run, but Siraj was unhappy with Jurel’s throw, asking his captain, Shubman Gill, what instructions were given. Then came the moment that defined the match and Siraj bowled a low full toss, a yorker for the ages and right at the base of off stump. Atkinson, trying to drag it across with a sweep, missed, and the ball went under his bat, uprooting off stump. The ground erupted as India’s players huddled in joy, with Siraj spreading his arms wide in celebration. England finished at 367/9, falling 7 runs short.
A thrilling end to a captivating series 🙌#TeamIndia win the 5th and Final Test by 6 runs
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2025
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Siraj ended with figures of 30-6-104-4, his pace, swing, and wobble-seam deliveries proving too much for England. Prasidh’s 27-3-126-4 was equally vital, with his clever variations and that match-turning yorker to Tongue. Jurel’s sharp keeping and Jadeja’s fielding kept England under pressure, while Gill’s captaincy, with smart field placements, ensured India stayed in control.
The victory sparked wild celebrations, with Siraj clutching the match ball and a stump as souvenirs. India’s lap around the ground was met with massive cheers, especially for Siraj, who had led the attack without key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin and England’s fight, especially Woakes’ bravery and Atkinson’s six, earned respect, but India’s resilience shone through. The series ended 2-2, a fitting result for a contest that showcased Test cricket’s drama and intensity. For India, this win was a turning point, proving their young team could compete at the highest level.
TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game
For the TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game, nothing captured the drama and grit quite like Chris Woakes stepping out to bat with a broken hand in England’s tense chase. With 17 runs needed and just one wicket left, England were teetering at 357/9 after 83 overs and Woakes, battered and bruised, emerged with his left arm tucked inside his jumper and his right arm strapped in a sling, forced to bat one-handed.
Chris Woakes ❤️ pic.twitter.com/MRSsC7lVgx
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) August 4, 2025
It was a sight that stunned fans and players alike, a true thing to his courage and determination. Facing the fiery Mohammed Siraj, who had already claimed 4 wickets for 98 runs, Woakes showed incredible resolve. Gus Atkinson, unbeaten on 8, held the other end, but all eyes were on Woakes, defying pain to keep England’s hopes alive. The crowd roared with every ball he faced, knowing the odds were stacked against him.
TCNI’s Hero of the Day
During the intense cricket match, Mohammed Siraj emerged as the TCNI Hero of the Day for his stellar bowling performance in England’s second innings, where they chased a daunting 374 runs. Siraj, with his fiery pace and precision, led India’s attack, finishing with remarkable figures of 5 wickets for 104 runs in 30.1 overs, boasting an economy rate of 3.44 and his disciplined bowling, including six maidens, kept England’s batsmen under constant pressure.
For his relentless bowling display and scalping nine wickets, Mohd. Siraj bags the Player of the Match award in the 5th Test 👏👏
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2025
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Siraj struck early, dismissing Zak Crawley for 14, and later removed key players like Ollie Pope (27) and Jamie Smith (2). His defining moment came when he trapped Jamie Overton lbw for 9 and bowled Gus Atkinson for 17, wrapping up England’s innings at 367 in 85.1 overs. Siraj’s ability to swing the ball and maintain tight lines was crucial in breaking England’s resistance, particularly in the lower order.
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