Oval: Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj opened up about the dramatic turn of events during India’s thrilling six-run victory over England in the fifth and final Test at The Oval. Reflecting on a missed opportunity that nearly cost India the match, Siraj shared an emotional behind-the-scenes moment that fuelled his incredible Day 5 performance.
Speaking after India sealed the series-leveling win, Siraj recalled the regret of dropping England batter Harry Brook on Day 4, a lapse that allowed Brook to stage a remarkable counterattack. "At that moment, I felt like the match had slipped away. If we had dismissed Brook then, the whole story could've changed," Siraj admitted.
Brook was on 19 when he launched a powerful shot off Prasidh Krishna in the 35th over. Siraj, stationed near the boundary, caught the ball cleanly but as he took the catch while jumping backward, his foot brushed the boundary cushion. What should have been a stunning dismissal turned into a six, gifting Brook a lifeline.
"I caught it, but I didn’t realize I had stepped on the boundary line," Siraj said. "The moment I landed, I knew. It haunted me all night."
Brook capitalized on the error, smashing two more boundaries in the same over and eventually notching up a century scoring 111 off just 98 balls, decorated with 14 fours and two sixes.
Determined to make amends, Siraj revealed a quirky ritual he followed on the morning of Day 5: "I woke up and told myself, 'Today, I’ll change the course of the match.’ I searched Google for a ‘Believe’ emoji and set it as my phone wallpaper," he said, proudly showing off a lock screen image featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, his inspiration.
And believe he did. Siraj roared back to form on the final morning, scalping five crucial wickets to help bowl England out for 367, just six runs short of the 374-run target. His effort, alongside Prasidh Krishna’s four-wicket burst, scripted a sensational comeback for India and sealed the series at 2-2.
"The way we fought back was extraordinary. It wasn’t just about taking wickets it was about belief, about redemption," Siraj said with a smile. The cricketing world is now hailing Siraj not just for his bowling, but for his resilience, self-belief, and emotional strength. From a dropped catch that could have spelled disaster to becoming the match-winner, Siraj’s Oval tale is one of rare sporting grit.