India Share Series Vs England With Dramatic 6-Run Win In Final Test At The Oval;
London: There were no more nails to bite… for the players at the Oval dressing room, thousands at the ground and millions watching on television on Monday.
As the lion-hearted Mohammed Siraj uprooted Gus Atkinson’s stumps an hour into the final day of an epic series, England were bowled out for 367 and India had won by the wafer-thin margin of 6 runs.
In the process, Shubman Gill’s spirited team drew level at 2-2 to share the five-match Test series.
England started Day 5 on 339/6, needing 35 more runs to clinch the series, while India needed to take 4 wickets.
Siraj rose to the occasion like the leader in the pack in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, and took three wickets to destroy English hopes with an absolutely brilliant effort of 5/104. Prasidh Krishna was an able foil, bagging one today to finish with 4/126.
England did everything possible, including sending out one-handed Chris Woakes to bat as the last man, to win the game. That’s how important this match was to the home team.
Despite chasing a never-achieved target of 374 at the Oval, England moved into driver’s seat at 301/3 on Sunday, thanks to centuries by Joe Root and Harry Brook, and their breathtaking 195-run partnership.
But the never-say-die Indians refused to give up, and turned the match on its head. Akash Deep triggered the collapse, dismissing Brook, then Siraj and Krishna took over.
England lost their last 7 wickets for 66 runs to lose a close game, having themselves pipped India by 22 runs in the gripping third Test at Lord’s.
BRIEF SCORES
India first innings: 224.
England first innings: 247
India second innings: 396
England second innings: 367 (Md Siraj 5/104, Prasidh Krishna 4/126).
Result: India won by 6 runs.
Series: India and England finish 2-2.
Man of the Match: Md Siraj (4/86 & 5/104).
