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LONDON: Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj held on to his nerves and claimed a five-wicket haul to steer India to a thrilling six-run victory over England in the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy here at The Oval on Monday.
Defending 374, India bundled England for 367, with Siraj taking 5-104, to level the five-match series 2-2. This was also India’s narrowest winning margin in a Test match.
After resuming on 339-6, England lost four wickets for 28 runs on the final morning of a thrilling series in overcast conditions.
Mohammed Siraj drew first blood, removing England wicketkeeper batter Jamie Smith, who was caught without adding to his score, as the home side were reduced to 347-7
Siraj struck again in his next over, removing Jamie Overton, who fell next, lbw for nine runs.
The interesting moment of the final day came when England’s last man, Chris Woakes, came into bat with his left arm strapped up owing to an injured shoulder.
The Three Lions still needed 17 more runs to secure victory when Chris Woakes came out to bat.
Gus Atkinson, who starred with the ball for the home side, hit a six off Siraj before England got the target down to single figures.
The 25-day thrilling Test cricket series came to a wire with England requiring seven runs to win. However, Siraj bowled a beautiful delivery to Atkinson (17) and cleaned him up as the Oval crowd erupted in loud cheers.
India were without Jasprit Bumrah at the Oval after deciding to stand by a decision to only play the world’s top-ranked Test bowler in three games of this five-match series — a figure the fast bowler reached during last week’s drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford.
Siraj, who was the only pacer to feature throughout, ended the series as the highest wicket-taker with 23 wickets at 32.43.
For England, Harry Brook top-scored with 111 of just 98 balls, striking two maximums and 14 fours.
For India, Mohammed Siraj took five wickets, whereas Prasidh Krishna scalped four wickets.
The India-England series ended in a draw with both teams finishing at 2-2 after this emphatic victory.
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