IND vs ENG Final Test Day 5 : The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy couldn’t have asked for a more dramatic
finish. On the fifth day of the IND vs ENG 5th Test at The Oval, the pendulum swung with every session.
Mohammed Siraj’s fiery spell set the cricketing world abuzz as India came to the brink of a famous victory
while England clung to slim hopes of sealing the series.

IND vs ENG Final Test Day 5 : A Test for the Ages: The Stage Is Set
Coming into the final day, England needed 35 runs to win with four wickets in hand. The scenario
favored the hosts after monumental centuries by Harry Brook and Joe Root had taken them close
to the daunting target of 374—the highest-ever run chase at The Oval.
History has shown the last few runs or wickets in a tense Test finish can be the hardest to achieve.
IND vs ENG Final Test Day 5 Enter Siraj: A Double Strike Turns the Tide
Mohammed Siraj, India’s tireless workhorse and the highest wicket-taker in the series, delivered
when it mattered most. Harnessing movement off the pitch and his trademark aggression, Siraj
struck twice in quick succession. First, he dismissed Jamie Overton, trapping him at the crease
with a nippy delivery. In his next over, Siraj accounted for Jamie Smith, inducing an edge that
was accepted by the Indian slip cordon. In a few deliveries, England went from hope to near
despair, left with only two wickets and still a tricky 20 runs away from the finish line.
Tension and Drama: Test Cricket at Its Best
Every ball became an event. The Indian fielders circled the last English batters, spurred on by Siraj’s
relentless energy and the vocal support from fans at the ground. England, missing Chris Woakes
who was nursing a shoulder injury, looked to their tail for a miracle.
The pressure, both mental and physical, was almost tangible. Siraj’s spell was not just about the
wickets—it was about the pressure, the persistent beating of the bat’s outside edge, the appeals,
and the squeeze that forced England into mistakes.
The Series Narrative: Warriors on Both Sides
This series has been a tale of resilience. England’s youngsters and experienced hands combined to
post fighting totals and chase tall targets. India, in response, found heroes in every session, from
their top-order batters to a pace attack led by Siraj, who has bowled more overs and taken more
wickets than anyone else this series.
What Next?
With just two wickets in hand, England’s remaining batters face the herculean task of surviving Siraj
and company, needing 20 more runs to clinch the series 3-1. India stand two wickets away from a
dramatic 2-2 draw, a result that would reflect the parity and high quality of this enthralling contest.
As stumps approached on this penultimate day, one thing was certain: cricket fans across the world
would remember this finale as a showcase for all that is great about Test cricket—skill, nerve, and the
agony and ecstasy of the final hour.
Tomorrow, when play resumes, all eyes will be on Siraj—will he deliver the knock-out punch and script
a memorable Indian comeback? Or will England’s tail wag just enough to take them home? This Test
match, and the series, hangs in the balance.