When Mohammed Siraj sank to his knees at The Oval, arms stretched wide, tears rolling down his face, it wasn’t just a bowler celebrating wickets. It was years of grit, heartbreak, and belief pouring out in one unforgettable moment. India had just beaten England by six runs in the fifth Test, drawing the series 2–2. And the man carrying them across the line was the same fast bowler who once played second fiddle.
On this tour, Siraj became the heartbeat of India’s attack. With Jasprit Bumrah restricted to three Tests and Mohammed Shami unavailable, Siraj shouldered the load without hesitation. He bowled more overs than anyone else, 185 across the five matches, and finished with 23 wickets, the highest haul of the series. By CricViz’s measure, he also forced 283 false shots, proof of relentless pressure built over long spells in tricky English conditions.
Day Five Drama
The fifth day at The Oval will go down as a classic. England, chasing 368, looked within touching distance at 339 for 6. Just 29 runs separated them from victory, and India were clinging on with tired bodies and fraying nerves. That was the stage Siraj chose to own.
He dismissed Joe Root, snuffed out Harry Brook’s hopes after his fighting 92, and bowled one of the finest yorkers of his career to castle Gus Atkinson. The stumps lit up, and with it India’s players erupted. Siraj finished with 5 for 104 in the second innings, nine wickets in the match, and the Player of the Match award. More importantly, India secured their narrowest Test win by runs in history.
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Redemption in Real Time
What made Siraj’s heroics sweeter was how quickly he turned his story around. On Day Four, he had dropped Harry Brook at the boundary, a mistake that could have cost India everything. Brook made the most of it, pushing England closer to the target. The headlines were already beginning to write him as the villain.
But cricket loves a redemption arc, and Siraj scripted one of the best. By the time he stormed in to clean up Atkinson, the dropped catch was forgotten. His nine wickets across both innings meant he wasn’t just a contributor, he was the difference between defeat and history.
Mohammed Siraj A Bowler Powered by Belief
Siraj later admitted he needed something bigger than skill to survive that pressure. He carried a photo of his late father in his kitbag and looked at it before going out to bowl, telling himself he had to play for that memory. He described it as “downloading belief.” To keep himself focused, he had set Cristiano Ronaldo’s one‑word mantra “Believe”, as his phone wallpaper.
That belief was visible in the celebration too. After uprooting Atkinson’s stumps, Siraj broke into Ronaldo’s famous “Siuuu” pose, a mix of adrenaline and relief that showed just how much the moment meant.
Tears, Messages and Mentors
When the win came, Siraj collapsed in tears, surrounded by teammates who knew what he had endured. Young wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel whispered, “I only believe in Miya Bhai,” a line that perfectly captured how Siraj had earned trust in the dressing room.
Off the field, he received a special message from Virat Kohli, who called him a warrior who would “put everything on the line.” Siraj, who has long considered Kohli his biggest supporter, responded with gratitude, saying the former captain’s belief kept him going through the toughest spells.
From Doubt to Dominance
This wasn’t always the story. Just six years ago, in the 2019 IPL, Siraj’s career looked like it might unravel. He was smashed for runs, trolled mercilessly, and even advised by critics to give up cricket and drive his father’s auto‑rickshaw instead. He stayed in the game, kept grinding, and now stands alongside Kapil Dev and Vinoo Mankad as one of only three Indian bowlers to play all five Tests in three separate overseas tours while taking ten or more wickets each time.
The turnaround is staggering. From being mocked as erratic to being hailed as India’s warrior in England, it’s the sort of script Test cricket produces once in a generation.
Applause From Both Sides
The praise hasn’t stopped at India’s boundary rope. England coach Brendon McCullum commended his stamina and spirit. Joe Root admitted Siraj’s reverse swing made the difference in the tense final hour. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly called him a fighter whose success proved the value of belief and discipline in Test cricket.
Why This Win Matters
Beyond the numbers, this match reminded the cricket world why Test cricket still matters. In an era obsessed with T20s, here was a bowler putting in back‑breaking overs, fighting through fatigue, and delivering one of the most memorable series finales in recent memory.
India may have only drawn the series, but thanks to Mohammed Siraj, they left The Oval with pride, respect, and a story that will be retold for years.
For Siraj, it was more than a win. It was the day he stopped being a support act and became the headline.
