The jaw-dropping finale of the test match of Ind vs. Eng has ended with a historic win for Team India. Mohammed Siraj delivered a performance for the ages, which led India to a heart-stopping six-run victory over England. Moreover, the five-test series has ended in a 2-2 draw due to drama, resilience, and emerging stars. Thus, this match confirms the magic of Test cricket.
Siraj Steps Out of Bumrah’s Shadow in Ind vs. England
Siraj was often seen as the backup of the Jasprit Bumrah. However, today, he stepped out as India’s main fast bowler by taking 5 wickets in the second innings and nine in the overall match. In Bumrah’s absence, the Hyderabad fast bowler rose to the challenge in high-pressure conditions. Thus, he emerges as the player of the match in the 5th test.
Mohammed Siraj also dismissed Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton early on Day 5, which firmly swung the momentum in favor of India. However, his yorker to Gus Atkinson had shattered the stumps with only 11 runs left. Therefore, his brilliant performance has helped India to defend the target of 374 runs, which leads to a win.
“Siraj leads with the actions,” said India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel. “He acted when it was most important.”
Tactful Captaincy and Strategic Brilliance
The leadership of Shubman Gill has proved important in handling high-pressure scenarios. On the last day, England only needed 35 runs to grab the series. However, the Gill’s decision to keep the field deep paid off and helped India to break the run flow.
On the other hand, the breakthrough of Prasidh Krishna, including dismissals of Joe Root and Harry Brook, has turned the tide after England seemed assured of a record run chase. Therefore, he ended with four wickets, which complements the heroic performance of Siraj.
Test Cricket at Its Best
The match had everything, like bravery, drama, and noise. Injured Chris Woakes came out to bat with his arm in a sling to support Atkinson. On the other hand, Indian fans filled the stadium to create a thrilling experience.
So, India fought very hard, despite the absence of top players like Pant, Bumrah, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Similarly, England also dealt with injuries to Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, and Shoaib Bashir. However, they could not finish their job.
A New Era Begins
After this draw, India showed the rise of a new team under Gill. Notably, young stars like Prasidh and Siraj have delivered under pressure, which shows promise for the future. Therefore, this test series will be remembered for the new era of the Indian cricket team.
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