By Vaman Gaitonde
In a nail-biting finish, India pulled off a stunning 6-run win over England in the fifth Test to level the series 2-2, proving that Test cricket is far from dead. England, needing just 35 runs with four wickets in hand on Day 5, seemed set for victory. But under overcast skies, Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna turned the match on its head, exploiting the conditions brilliantly to clean up the tail.
Siraj, who was haunted by a dropped catch earlier in the innings, roared back with a vengeance, taking crucial wickets and finishing the job with a searing yorker to dismiss Atkinson. His fiery spell earned him the Player of the Match award. Prasidh, often expensive in earlier games, complemented Siraj superbly when it mattered most.
The Oval pitch played a major role throughout the Test. Initially appearing green and lively, it produced low first-innings scores (India 224, England 247) before easing out in patches due to the heavy roller and weather shifts. England’s injury-hit bowling attack missed the services of Chris Woakes, while their fielding let them down, allowing Jaiswal to notch up his sixth Test century.
India’s second innings was propped up not just by Jaiswal, but also by surprise contributor Akashdeep, who scored a gritty half-century. Washington Sundar’s aggressive 39* for the last wicket, with No. 11 holding firm at the other end, turned out to be decisive, stretching the lead to a challenging 374.
England’s chase was powered by centuries from Root and Brook, especially after Siraj dropped Brook early. Both batters exploited a flat pitch phase, bringing England within touching distance before India struck back dramatically.
From an Indian perspective, there were several takeaways. KL Rahul shone as an opener with over 500 runs in the series, while Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair failed to deliver. Sundar’s batting evolution has been a bonus, and Jadeja’s consistency with bat, ball, and in the field, even at 37, remains unmatched. He racked up over 500 runs in the series. Wicketkeeper Jurel impressed with brilliant glovework and critical contributions. Captain Shubman Gill emerged as a reliable leader, scoring over 700 runs without letting captaincy weigh him down.
But above all, it was Siraj’s tireless spirit and lion-hearted effort that defined the win—and the series. Unlike others, for Siraj, there’s no concept of “workload management.”
