LONDON: Mohammed Siraj was the hero as India beat England by just six runs in a thrilling fifth Test at the Oval on Monday to end a dramatic series level at 2-2.
England arrived on the final day of the series needing just 35 runs with four wickets in hand to complete what would have been a remarkable chase of 374.
But they were blown away on a morning of unbearable tension, with Siraj taking three wickets for nine runs to finish with innings figures of 5-104.
The dramatic ending, India’s narrowest Test win in terms of runs, was a fitting finale to an enthralling series that started on June 20.
“It just shows that both teams came with their ‘A’ game and I am very happy to get over the line in this one,” India captain Shubman Gill told Sky Sports.
“When you have got bowlers bowling a spell like Siraj, captaincy seems easy.”
The series was also a personal triumph for Gill, who scored 754 runs, including four hundreds.
England, cruising to victory on Sunday when they were 301-3, remained favourites to win when play started under gloomy skies on Monday.
Jamie Overton hit the first two balls of the day off Prasidh Krishna for four to immediately ease the pressure but the home side were soon reduced to 354-8 after Siraj struck twice to remove Jamie Smith and Overton.
Josh Tongue was next to go and when injured last man Chris Woakes came in to bat with his left arm strapped up due to an injured shoulder, England still needed 17 more runs for victory.
Gus Atkinson hit a six off Siraj before England got the target down to single figures.
But the paceman clean bowled Atkinson (17) to spark delirious scenes among the India team and their supporters.
The series started with England successfully chasing down a target of 371 to win at Headingley.
India won the second Test at Edgbaston by a huge margin of 336 runs before England bounced back to win at Lord’s, taking a 2-1 series lead.
England’s time-wasting tactics during the third Test were the first of several flashpoints in an increasingly fiery series.
In a drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford, memorable for an astonishing Indian rearguard action, England were angered by the tourists’ refusal to agree a draw at the first opportunity.
Both sides were hampered by fitness issues in the Oval decider, with England missing inspirational captain Ben Stokes because of a shoulder injury.
“I’m bitterly disappointed we couldn’t get over the line here, but I’m incredibly proud of my team and everything they’ve thrown into it,” said Stokes.
India were without Jasprit Bumrah after deciding to stick to their decision to only play the world’s top-ranked Test bowler in three games of the series.
But the lion-hearted Siraj, who featured in every match, seized his moment, ending the series as the leading bowler on either side with 23 wickets at 32.43.
“I’ve always had great respect and admiration for Mohammed Siraj as a competitor,” said Stokes after the bowler was named player of the match following an overall return of 9-190.
“He just keeps coming and coming and coming. You know he’s going to be in the fight with you.”
Siraj, 31, struck with his third ball on Monday, with a nervous Smith caught behind to leave England 347-7.
Overton fell next, lbw for nine to Siraj.
Tailender Tongue was bowled by Krishna to leave India on the brink of victory before Siraj, appropriately, wrapped up the match.
“From day one to here, everyone fought so hard so we are very happy,” Siraj said. I just wanted to make sure I hit the right areas, the wickets would fall, and anything else would be a bonus.
“When I woke up I believed I could do it.”
England will be bitterly disappointed not to have got over the line after Harry Brook (111) and Joe Root (105) took the game by the scruff of the neck on Sunday.
Brook’s reckless dismissal was the beginning of a collapse, which ultimately proved decisive, with the home side losing their final seven wickets for just 66 runs. – AFP
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