‘I just focused on hitting the right areas’: Sirajs final-day burst stuns England and seals dramatic draw
Mohammed Siraj makes history with seven four-wicket hauls as India seal thrilling six run win in a dramatic final-day finish.
New Delhi: Twenty five days of riveting action comes to a dramatic extraordinary final of the series. The Indian bowlers stood out and delivered a performance for the ages. As India entered the ground on the final day the game seemed to be in England's bag but Mohammed Siraj pulled it out from under their nose as he took three wickets to help India level the series with a six run victory.
The word impossible doesn't exist in Siraj's dictionary as he always believed that he can win the final Test for India from any point as he pulled off one of the biggest heists in the traditional format in recent times. With just 35 runs to defend on the fifth and final day and four wickets to take, he first dismissed Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton in his first two overs. He then fired a yorker to shatter last standing man Gus Atkinson's off-stump, bringing a heart-stopping end to the game.
After the match Siraj said, My only plan was to bowl good areas. It didn't matter if I took wickets or went for runs. (Thoughts after Brook drop) I didn't think I'd touch the cushion when I took it. It was a match-changing moment. Brook got into the T20 moment. We were behind the game after that but thank god. I always believe that I can win the game from any point, and did in the morning."
Siraj sets new benchmark
With nine wickets in two innings, Siraj was at the centre of ruling the Oval. From the very first ball he consistently troubled the English batters and finished with 5 for 104 in 30.1 overs. With his spectacular spell, he even became the first bowler from Asia to take seven four-wicket hauls in red-ball matches. This marks his 22 wickets in the ongoing series, he has become the highest wicket taker in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.