India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj revealed that the plan was to keep it simple and bowl in good areas on the final day of the fifth Test match against England at the Kennington Oval. India needed four wickets to win whereas England needed 35 runs to win.
Siraj was able to step up as he got the big wicket of Jamie Smith with an outswinger. The fast bowler then got the ball to move back into Jamie Overton to plumb him in front of the wickets.
With England needing only seven runs to win, Siraj bowled a perfect yorker to Gus Atkinson to seal the deal for India. Siraj returned with figures of 5-104 in the second innings after bagging 4-86 in the first dig. Overall, Siraj claimed 9-190 and won the Player of the Match award.
Siraj said in the post-match presentation, “To be honest, it feels amazing. From Day 1 everyone fought hard and the result is there to see. Very happy. The plan was to keep it simple and hit a consistent spot. Not try too much and if I can get wickets from there it’s a bonus and build pressure. When I woke up today I had the belief that I could do it, I had the belief system. I took a photo from Google which read I can do it and put it as my wallpaper.”
Siraj had made a blunder on the penultimate day of the Test match when he stepped on to the boundary rope after taking Harry Brook’s catch at deep fine leg. Brook was on 19 at that stage and went on to make 111.
Speaking on the game-changing incident, Siraj said, “If I had taken that (Brook) catch properly probably we may not have had to come today. It was a game-changing moment. But Brook played really well, hats off to him for playing attacking cricket.”
Meanwhile, India had suffered a 22-run loss at Lord’s when Siraj was dismissed after showing fight with the bat. However, at the Oval, it was Siraj, who led India to a memorable win.
Speaking on the emotions, Siraj said, “It was a heart-breaking moment (The Lord’s loss). He (Jadeja) was just telling me to play with a straight bat and middle the ball. He told me to remember my Father and the hardwork he put in to get me here.”
Siraj delivered a total of 185.3 overs in the five-match series and he would definitely want to put his feet up.
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