Shaharbeen Times Sports – Full Report
Siraj’s fire, Jaiswal’s brilliance, and India’s thrilling 6-run win level the series 2-2
In one of the most gripping Test matches in recent memory, India edged past England by just 6 runs to level the five-match series 2-2. It was a dramatic turnaround engineered by a fiery spell from Mohammed Siraj, who claimed nine wickets in the match and was deservedly named Player of the Match, and Prasidh Krishna, who chipped in with four wickets in the second innings, sealing a famous win on English soil.
Match Summary: After England won the toss and opted to bowl first, India managed only 224 runs in their first innings. England, in reply, posted 247 and took a slender lead.
However, the tide turned in India’s favour during the second innings, thanks to a magnificent century from young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. His composed yet aggressive knock took India to a commanding total of 396, setting England a challenging target of 374.
At one point, England were struggling at 106 for 3, but Harry Brook and Joe Root staged a strong counterattack, pushing India onto the back foot. The momentum appeared to be with the hosts until late on Day 4, when the pitch offered help to the bowlers and India struck back with three quick wickets.
Day 5 was pure theatre. Every ball was soaked in tension. England came out needing just over 100 runs with four wickets in hand. Mohammed Siraj delivered a masterclass in pressure bowling, removing Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton early. Prasidh Krishna then knocked over Josh Tongue, and it was down to Gus Atkinson to pull off a miracle.
There was one scare when Atkinson lofted a ball towards the boundary and Akash Deep fumbled it over the ropes, reducing the target to single digits. But Siraj had the final say, delivering a toe-crushing yorker that uprooted Atkinson’s off-stump. England were bowled out for 367, falling agonisingly short by 6 runs.
Mohammed Siraj – the match-winner
Siraj’s spell was a blend of control, aggression, and raw pace. He took four wickets in the first innings and followed it up with five in the second, finishing the match with outstanding figures of 9 wickets. His crucial breakthroughs broke England’s resistance just when it seemed the game was slipping away. His final wicket sealed India’s win and brought an end to a riveting series.
KL Rahul after the match
“It means absolutely everything. I’ve played cricket for a while. We won the Champions Trophy, I’ve seen India lift the World Cup… but this was different. People had doubts about the future of Test cricket, but the way both teams played this series, I think we’ve answered that.
For a team like ours, written off at the start, to come back and draw the series 2-2 – it may seem even, but for us, it feels like a win. This is the beginning of something new.
When I joined the squad, I could feel the absence of the senior players. But I knew I had a responsibility to guide the younger guys, to put my hand up and deliver.
Shubman Gill has been phenomenal as captain – sharp, thoughtful, and always a step ahead. He’s here to stay and lead Indian Test cricket to great heights.”
Final thoughts
This was more than just a Test win – it was a statement of resilience, belief, and a testament to the depth of Indian cricket. With key players missing, a young team stepped up and delivered a performance for the ages.
India may have drawn the series, but the character and courage shown throughout suggest that a new era of Indian Test dominance abroad has just begun.
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