Oval: In a surprising revelation that has sparked debate among cricket fans, former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik disclosed that Mohammed Siraj was almost named the Player of the Series for India in the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, but a last-minute change of mind and logistical hurdles led to Shubman Gill receiving the honor instead.
The series between India and England saw some spectacular performances from both camps, with Shubman Gill emerging as a batting powerhouse, amassing 754 runs including four centuries, and Mohammed Siraj spearheading India’s bowling attack with 23 wickets, including a game-changing spell at The Oval, where he was named Player of the Match.
According to Karthik, who shared the inside scoop on Cricbuzz, the selection of the Player of the Series followed an interesting format each team’s coach proposed a nominee from the opposing side. In this system, England coach Brendon McCullum had initially chosen Shubman Gill as India's standout performer by the end of Day 4.
However, Siraj’s fiery bowling performance on the final day of the series caught McCullum's attention, prompting him to reconsider his pick. By Day 5, McCullum revised his choice and recommended Mohammed Siraj as the rightful Player of the Series.
By the time the change was communicated, Michael Atherton, the presenter for the post-match ceremony, had already prepared his on-stage script and questions based on Gill’s selection. Karthik explained that reworking the entire interview content at the last minute was deemed impractical, which eventually led to sticking with Gill for the award.
“Siraj truly earned it with his performance, especially on the fifth day, but practical constraints prevented the switch,” Karthik said, emphasizing that it wasn’t a reflection on Siraj’s performance but rather a behind-the-scenes logistical issue that influenced the outcome.
While Harry Brook was chosen as England’s Player of the Series under the same system, the controversy around Siraj has led to fans and analysts debating whether cricket’s award protocols need more flexibility especially in recognizing late-turning performances that define a series.
For now, Gill walks away with the trophy, but in the eyes of many including McCullum himself Mohammed Siraj was the unsung hero of the series.