Mohammed Siraj’s Self-Belief Powers India to Historic Six-Run Victory at The Oval

In one of the most dramatic finishes in Test history, Mohammed Siraj produced a spell of brilliance on the final morning at The Oval to hand India a thrilling six-run win over England, leveling the five-match series 2-2. It was a moment of personal redemption for the pacer, who admitted that just a day earlier, he believed he had cost India the game.

Siraj, named Player of the Match, finished with three wickets on the final day—including the crucial last one—after starting it with a clear goal in mind.

“When I woke up this morning, I told myself I would change the game,” he said. “I opened Google, downloaded a 'believe' image, and put that as my phone wallpaper.”

From Despair to Deliverance

The 30-year-old was visibly emotional after the match, reflecting on a dropped catch the previous day when he misjudged a boundary catch of Harry Brook, who went on to smash a century and push England to the brink of victory.

“After yesterday’s incident, I thought the match was gone,” Siraj admitted. “Had we got Brook out before lunch, there would have been no fifth day. But we came back strongly.”

With England needing just 35 runs and four wickets on Day 5, Siraj delivered immediately. He had Jamie Smith caught behind in his second over, then trapped Jamie Overton lbw in the next. After Prasidh Krishna removed Josh Tongue, Siraj returned to finish the job.

Despite a six by Gus Atkinson that narrowed the gap to seven runs, Siraj held his nerve. His final ball—a searing yorker—crashed into Atkinson’s off stump to seal the victory and spark wild celebrations.

“My only plan was to bowl consistently in one spot and use movement. I didn’t want to try too much because that could release the pressure,” he explained.

Series Standout

Siraj was India’s workhorse throughout the gripping five-match series, finishing with 23 wickets, the most by any bowler. His durability and control stood out, especially as he was one of the only two fast bowlers—alongside England’s Chris Woakes—to play all five Tests.

But his contributions extended beyond the ball. He was part of one of the series’ most poignant moments at Lord’s, when India lost by a whisker. With one wicket remaining and 23 needed, Siraj defended resolutely until a delivery from Shoaib Bashir trickled back onto his stumps, dislodging the bail and sealing a heartbreaking loss.

“It was a heartbreaking moment,” he recalled. “Jaddu bhai [Ravindra Jadeja] told me not to overthink, to focus and think about my father and how hard I’ve worked to get here. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen that day.”

Legacy of Belief

From heartbreak to heroics, Siraj's journey in this series reflects the passion and self-belief that defines modern Indian cricket. His ability to bounce back from adversity, coupled with his unwavering mental strength, left an indelible mark on a fiercely contested series.

“From day one to today, every Test went to the fifth day,” Siraj said. “Hats off to everyone in the squad for the way they fought.”

This Oval performance may well go down as one of Siraj’s finest—perhaps not just for the wickets taken, but for the resilience shown, the belief displayed, and the redemption earned on cricket’s biggest stage.