Introduction: A Pacer’s Triumph at The Oval
In the climactic 5th Test match of the India Tour of England 2025, held at the iconic Kennington Oval, London, Mohammad Siraj emerged as a destructive force that left England’s batting lineup in tatters. With a spectacular spell of fast bowling, Siraj not only demonstrated his evolution as a premier pacer for India but also played a key role in scripting India's historic 3-2 series win.
India's emphatic 9-wicket victory was sealed in just four days, thanks in large part to Siraj's relentless pace, precision, and mental sharpness. In this article, we break down his performance, analyze his bowling strategy, and look at how he outclassed the English batters in swinging and seam-friendly conditions.
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Mohammad Siraj’s Match Figures – A Snapshot
Match figures:
1st Innings: 5 wickets for 47 runs (17 overs, 3 maidens)
2nd Innings: 3 wickets for 38 runs (12 overs, 1 maiden)
Total: 8 wickets for 85 runs
Strike rate: 18.8
Average: 10.62
Economy: 2.5
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Setting the Stage: England Under Pressure
Coming into the final Test with the series tied 2-2, the pressure was sky-high. England won the toss and elected to bat, hoping to take advantage of The Oval’s reputation for being relatively batting-friendly early on. However, overcast skies and a green tinge on the pitch were early indicators that seamers like Siraj would enjoy bowling here.
Within the first hour, it became evident that England had misread the conditions. Siraj, leading India's pace attack in absence of Jasprit Bumrah, exploited the lateral movement off the seam with masterful skill.
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First Innings Brilliance: 5-Wicket Haul
Siraj’s five-wicket haul in the first innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Here’s a breakdown of his wickets and approach:
1. Zak Crawley (LBW) – Length and Line Precision
Siraj’s very first breakthrough came through a delivery that nipped back sharply off the seam. Crawley, who tried to play it on the back foot, was trapped plumb in front. It was a perfect seam-up delivery that set the tone.
2. Joe Root (Caught Slip) – Seam and Patience
Joe Root, England’s batting mainstay, was dismissed by an out-swinger that kissed the edge of his bat and flew to second slip. Siraj bowled a probing channel just outside off-stump, and the reward came in his sixth over.
3. Ben Stokes (Clean Bowled) – Reverse Swing Magic
Perhaps the highlight of the innings, Siraj produced a reverse-swinging yorker to dismantle England captain Ben Stokes. The delivery tailed in late and crashed into the stumps—a moment of raw pace and execution.
4. Jonny Bairstow (Caught Behind) – Short Ball Tactic
Bairstow fell to a sharp bouncer outside off, trying to fend it off but edging it to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps. Siraj smartly mixed lengths, setting him up with a couple of good-length balls before delivering the short-pitched surprise.
5. Chris Woakes (Bowled) – Late Movement
To wrap up the tail, Siraj bowled a fuller delivery that jagged in just enough to beat Woakes’ defense. With this, he completed his second five-wicket haul in England.
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Second Innings: Sealing the Deal
India had a comfortable lead, and Siraj continued from where he left off. His second innings figures—3/38—may look modest compared to the first, but they were pivotal in collapsing England’s resistance.
1. Ollie Pope (Caught Gully)
Pope tried to cut a rising delivery too close to his body and found the gully fielder. This showed Siraj’s ability to bowl into the body and extract extra bounce.
2. Ben Foakes (LBW)
Siraj once again used the nip-backer effectively. Foakes misjudged the line and was caught on the crease. The DRS confirmed three reds, underlining Siraj's bowling intelligence.
3. Mark Wood (Caught Mid-On)
A well-directed short ball saw Wood mistime his pull shot. The field placement was spot on, and India knew the end was near.
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Siraj’s Bowling Traits at The Oval
Seam Movement: Exploited the green surface perfectly.
Reverse Swing: Came into play during older-ball phases.
Bouncer Strategy: Used sparingly but effectively.
Mental Toughness: Bowled long, disciplined spells.
Field Placement Awareness: Worked in tandem with Rohit Sharma’s field settings to perfection.
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Reactions: Praise from Cricketing Legends
After the match, cricketing icons heaped praise on Siraj:
Sunil Gavaskar: “Siraj was on fire. He bowled like a lion in a den. His control and aggression were world-class.”
Michael Vaughan: “England simply had no answer to Siraj’s skill. He was the difference-maker.”
Virat Kohli: “I’ve seen Siraj grow over the years, but this was special. He has matured into a match-winner.”
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Stats Comparison: Siraj vs England in 2025 Series
Test Match Wickets Taken Bowling Average Economy
1st Test – Lord's 2 42.00 3.4
2nd Test – Headingley 4 21.75 2.9
3rd Test – Edgbaston 1 78.00 3.7
4th Test – Trent Bridge 3 26.00 2.6
5th Test – The Oval 8 10.62 2.5
Siraj saved his best for the decider, making a powerful case for his status as India's lead strike bowler.
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Series Outcome: India Clinch the Series 3-2
Thanks to Siraj’s brilliance, supported ably by spinners like Jadeja and pacers like Mukesh Kumar, India bundled England out for 178 in the second innings, setting up a small target of 61 runs. India chased it down with ease, losing just one wicket.
This victory marked India’s first Test series win in England since 2007, and Mohammad Siraj was rightfully awarded the Player of the Match.
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Conclusion: The Rise of Siraj – From Hyderabad to Oval Hero
From humble beginnings in Hyderabad to becoming the architect of a historic win at The Oval, Mohammad Siraj’s journey is inspirational. His bowling in the 5th Test was not just about raw pace, but about maturity, tactical brilliance, and consistency.
He silenced critics, lifted his team in a crunch situation, and gave Indian cricket fans a moment to cherish forever. The 5th Test at The Oval will be remembered not just for the series win, but as the match where Mohammad Siraj truly came of age as India’s bowling spearhead.
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