In a heartstopping finale at the Oval, India rise to square the series
Mohammed Siraj emerged as the key figure for India as they
claimed the final four England wickets in under an hour to secure a thrilling
six-run victory and level the Test series. Siraj led the charge on a dramatic
Monday at The Oval, removing Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton before clean bowling
Gus Atkinson to complete a superb five-wicket haul. Earlier, Prasidh Krishna
had dismissed Josh Tongue for a duck, leaving England still needing 17 runs
with only one wicket in hand. Chris Woakes, battling a dislocated shoulder,
came out to bat with his arm in a sling. Atkinson briefly raised English hopes
by launching Siraj for six and shielding Woakes from the strike, but Siraj
responded with a deadly yorker that sealed India’s narrowest-ever Test win.
“This was a rare one,” said India skipper Shubman Gill.
“Chasing 60 or 70 runs with seven wickets in hand – you don’t often see a
finish like that. We’re lucky and thrilled to cross the line.”
England had been cruising at 301 for 3 before collapsing to
367 all out, losing their last seven wickets for just 66 runs. The turning
point came with Harry Brook’s careless shot after a brilliant century,
triggering a slide that India capitalized on. Jacob Bethell and centurion Joe
Root (105) were removed in quick succession before bad light and rain halted
play on day four, with England still needing 35 more runs for victory – what
would have been their second-highest chase in Test history and the biggest ever
at The Oval.
With tension high and skies grey, a packed crowd witnessed
one of the most nail-biting conclusions to a Test in recent memory. Fittingly,
Siraj, who had earlier let Brook off the hook with a dropped catch on 19,
redeemed himself in spectacular fashion, leading India to an unforgettable win.
Woakes remained unbeaten without facing a ball, courageously running between
the wickets despite his visible discomfort.
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