Miracle at The Oval: Mohammed Siraj's Five-Wicket Masterclass Powers India to Historic Victory

After being written off for dead on Day 4, India pulled off one of the greatest Test match comebacks in their history, defeating England by just six runs at The Oval to level the series 2-2. Mohammed Siraj emerged as the hero of the hour, claiming a memorable five-wicket haul in the second innings to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. England, needing just 35 runs with four wickets in hand at the start of Day 5, crumbled under the pressure of India's relentless bowling attack in a dramatic morning session that will be remembered for generations.

Day 5: The Morning That Changed Everything

Early Drama Unfolds

England resumed at 339/6, requiring just 35 runs to seal the series 4-1. Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton walked out to what seemed like a formality, with the target well within reach and four wickets still in the bank.

Jamie Overton began confidently, striking a couple of boundaries to ease the nerves in the England dressing room. The first was clean, the second streaky but valuable nonetheless. At that moment, England looked destined for victory.

Siraj's Match-Winning Spell

Then came Mohammed Siraj's moment of magic. The Indian seamer, who had endured heartbreak on Day 4 when he stepped on the boundary rope while taking Harry Brook's catch, found redemption in the most dramatic fashion possible.

First blow: Siraj dismissed Jamie Smith with a delivery that found the edge, sending the England wicket-keeper back to the pavilion and giving India their first breakthrough of the morning.

Double strike: In his very next over, Siraj trapped Jamie Overton LBW, removing both overnight batters in quick succession and suddenly transforming the complexion of the match.

The Final Twist

With England's batting running out, Prasidh Krishna joined the party by cleaning up Josh Tongue for a duck, leaving England with their backs against the wall.

The drama reached fever pitch when Chris Woakes walked out to bat with his left arm in a sling, having suffered an injury. The England all-rounder, unable to use his dominant hand, was forced to bat left-handed in one of the most courageous acts seen on a cricket field.

The Clinching Moment

With England still within touching distance of victory, Gus Atkinson kept the hosts' hopes alive with some brave hitting. But it was Mohammed Siraj who had the final word, delivering a searing yorker that crashed into Atkinson's off-stump to seal India's incredible six-run victory.

Key Performances That Defined the Victory

Mohammed Siraj - The Hero of The Oval

Match figures: 9/107 (4/51 in first innings, 5/56 in second innings)

Siraj's performance was nothing short of extraordinary. After the heartbreak of dropping Harry Brook's catch by stepping on the boundary rope, many would have crumbled. Instead, Siraj channeled his disappointment into a match-winning spell.

"I was just thinking that I should bowl in the right areas. To be honest, I didn't think that I would take the (Brook) catch and step on the rope. It was a match-changing moment. Yes, I always believed myself that I will do it for the team," Siraj said after his Player of the Match performance.

Prasidh Krishna's Crucial Support

Match figures: 4/95

Krishna provided the perfect foil to Siraj's aggression, picking up crucial wickets at key moments. His dismissals of Jacob Bethell and Joe Root on Day 4, followed by Josh Tongue's wicket on the final morning, proved pivotal in India's comeback.

The Batting Heroes from Earlier Days

While the final day belonged to the bowlers, India's victory was built on crucial batting performances throughout the Test:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal: Two centuries in the series, including a crucial knock in the second innings

• Washington Sundar: A late assault that helped set England a challenging target of 374

• Akash Deep: A maiden Test fifty as nightwatchman that proved invaluable

Statistical Significance

Historic Win Margins

India's six-run victory at The Oval now stands as their narrowest Test win in terms of runs:

• 6 runs vs England, The Oval, 2025

• 13 runs vs Australia, Wankhede, 2004

• 28 runs vs England, Kolkata, 1972

• 31 runs vs Australia, Adelaide, 2018

Siraj's Series Dominance

Mohammed Siraj finished as the highest wicket-taker in the series with 23 wickets, equaling Jasprit Bumrah's record for most wickets by an Indian bowler in a Test series in England.

Most wickets for India in a Test series in England:

• 23 – Jasprit Bumrah (2021-22)

• 23 – Mohammed Siraj (2025)

• 19 – Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2014)

The Series Context

From 1-3 Down to 2-2

India's victory at The Oval completed a remarkable series comeback. After losing the first three Tests and facing a 3-1 deficit, India won both Tests in Manchester and London to level the series 2-2.

This result means India retain the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, having drawn the series and held the trophy from the previous series.

England's Missed Opportunity

For England, the defeat was particularly hard to swallow. Needing just 35 runs with four wickets remaining, the hosts were overwhelming favorites to seal the series. Their collapse from 332/4 to 367 all out will haunt them for years to come.

England coach Brendon McCullum called it "the best five-match Test series I have ever been a part of and witnessed," acknowledging that "2-2 was a fair reflection" of the closely contested series.

What Made This Victory Special

The Comeback Factor

India looked completely out of the contest midway through Day 4 when Harry Brook and Joe Root were pummeling their bowling attack. The 195-run partnership between the English duo had seemingly sealed the match in England's favor.

Mental Fortitude

The psychological strength shown by the Indian team, particularly Mohammed Siraj, was remarkable. To bounce back from the dropped catch incident and produce a match-winning performance under immense pressure showcased the character of this Indian side.

Team Effort

While Siraj claimed the headlines, this was a complete team performance. From Yashasvi Jaiswal's batting brilliance to Akash Deep's crucial fifty, from Prasidh Krishna's support bowling to the collective fielding effort, every contribution mattered in this historic victory.

The Broader Impact

Test Cricket at its Finest

This match exemplified everything that makes Test cricket the pinnacle of the sport. The ebbs and flows, the psychological battles, the individual heroics, and the team dynamics all combined to produce a contest that will be remembered as one of the greatest Test matches ever played.

India's Character

This victory demonstrated India's evolution as a Test team. The ability to fight back from seemingly impossible situations, the depth in bowling resources, and the mental toughness to perform under pressure all point to a team that has come of age in the longest format.

Looking Forward

India's incredible victory at The Oval will go down as one of their greatest Test triumphs. It showcased the unpredictable nature of Test cricket and proved that no match is over until the last wicket falls.

For Mohammed Siraj, this performance will define his career. From the heartbreak of the dropped catch to the ecstasy of the final wicket, his journey through this Test match was a microcosm of the emotional rollercoaster that makes cricket so compelling.

The 2-2 series result was, as Brendon McCullum noted, a fair reflection of an evenly contested battle between two excellent cricket teams. But for India, this victory represents something more – proof that with belief, character, and skill, even the most impossible situations can be overcome.

Final scoreline: India won by 6 runs
Series result: India level the series 2-2 and retain the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy
Player of the Match: Mohammed Siraj (9/107)