Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey
Mohammed Siraj has come for huge praise from India and England fans in equal measure after yet another huge effort in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. In a terrific show of fitness, Siraj, who has played all five Tests, continued to run in hard and even clock speeds of 140km/h late on the fourth day at The Oval.
The final Test is beautifully poised with England needing 35 runs with four wickets in hand, including an injured Chris Woakes. Play was halted on the fourth evening due to rain and bad light at 5:30pm, with officials deeming it not possible that the ground would be ready by the 6:42pm cutoff time.
Siraj will be crucial to India’s chances of a stunning series-levelling win on the final morning. His figures of 2/95 in the second innings do little justice to the skill he displayed, playing a key role in India’s resurgence alongside Prasidh Krishna in the final hour.
Earlier, Siraj went past Ben Duckett’s bat multiple times and regularly found movement either way to hit the England batters on the pads and body. He created 13 false shots in the first hour on day four, with 13 of the 26 runs he conceded coming off edges.
Leading an attack comprising just three specialist quicks – cause of greater criticism from Indian fans – Siraj came back time and again, maintaining his pace as he strove to get his team back in the game. It was an excellent show of tenacity and grit as he finished day four with 181.2 overs under his belt for the series, the most of any bowler.
Reactions: Fans praise huge Mohammed Siraj effort in the final Test at The Oval
Siraj was involved in the biggest moment of the day, stepping over the boundary while attempting to take the catch that would have dismissed eventual centurion Harry Brook for 19. However, fans hoped that moment wouldn’t overshadow Siraj’s effort.
“Mohammed Siraj is everything that our sport needs, especially this ultimate format, Test Cricket. Skillful, wholehearted, a fighter, plays on the edge but a smile never far away. He’s box office on every level,” wrote a fan on X (formerly Twitter).
“Siraj is one of those guys that puts it all out there on the field. Massive, massive heart,” wrote another.
Here are some of the reactions from both England and India fans before the series has its thrilling finale on Monday.
