Mohammed Siraj delivered one of the finest spells of his career as India edged past England by six runs in a thrilling finale at The Oval, levelling the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 series 2-2. On the decisive morning, with England needing 35 runs and four wickets in hand, Siraj produced a fiery burst that changed the game. He removed Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton in quick succession before sealing the win with a perfect yorker to dismiss Gus Atkinson. His second-innings figures of 5 for 104, combined with his 4-wicket haul in the first innings, earned him the Player of the Match award and secured India’s first-ever win in a fifth Test away from home.
Mohammed Siraj reacts after fulfilling Dale Steyn’s wish
On the eve of the final Test, legendary South African fast bowler Dale Steyn boldly predicted on X (formerly Twitter) that Siraj would take a five-wicket haul. While Siraj fell just short in the first innings with 4 for 86, he brought Steyn’s words to life in the second innings, taking a match-winning 5-wicket haul and finishing the game with 9 wickets.
After India’s win, Siraj responded to Steyn’s tweet, saying, “You asked. I delivered. Really appreciate coming from you.” The exchange between the two speedsters left fans buzzing, as one of cricket’s modern greats acknowledged Siraj’s match-defining performance.
You asked. I delivered.
Really appreciate coming from you ❤️ https://t.co/aUcPV0lUPy
— Mohammed Siraj (@mdsirajofficial) August 4, 2025
Also WATCH: ENG vs IND – Mohammed Siraj seals India’s victory with a stunning yorker to dismiss Gus Atkinson at The Oval
A fitting end to a hard-fought series
The Oval Test was the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable series that saw both teams trading blows across five gripping matches. From breathtaking spells of fast bowling to resilient batting performances, the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy lived up to its billing. Siraj’s heroics not only secured a series-levelling victory but also highlighted India’s ability to fight till the very last ball — a quality that has defined their recent success in Test cricket.
