India produced an incredible turnaround against England to win the final Test of the Rothesay series. It was the lowest win plan for India in Test ever. Mohammed Siraj emerged as India’s star performer. He took five wickets and led his team to a heart-stopping six-run win at the hallowed venue.
On the fifth and penultimate day of the Test, Siraj found his very best form and delivered a spell for the ages. His initial scalping of Jamie Smith was quickly followed up by claiming the wicket of Jamie Overton, leaving India in prime position. Siraj’s crowning moment arrived when he cleaned up Gus Atkinson with a magnificent yorker to seal his five-wicket haul.
India’s triumph was marked by plenty of nail-biting drama. Earlier in the game, it was Siraj who dropped the crucial catch from Harry Brook. He had gone over the boundary cushion when Brook had reached 19 runs. His mistake almost turned out to be kalank, as England attempted to chase a mammoth target of 373 runs. Siraj made up for his error, taking four wickets in less than an hour’s time. He finished with 4 for 118 and bowled England out for 367.
The match showcased remarkable swings in momentum. When Siraj then served up a full toss to Atkinson, it allowed England a fleeting moment of optimism. Needing just 60 to 70 runs with seven wickets in hand, India were on the verge of an embarrassing defeat. Yet, Siraj’s inspired bowling turned the tide decisively in India’s favor.
Shubman Gill highlighted the extraordinary nature of the match, saying, “With 60-, 70-odd runs to win with seven wickets in hand, you don’t get to see many games like this.” His disappointment reflected the consternation of baseball fans who just watched an incredible finish to a bitterly contested playoff series.
“I didn’t expect him to come out like that, batting with one hand. Kudos to him,” – Gill
