Kumar Dharmasena’s epic view of Siraj’s winning delivery goes viral

Mohammed Siraj produced a spell for the ages at The Oval, claiming five wickets in the second innings to power India to a dramatic six-run victory over England in the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy Test series. The 31-year-old pacer finished as the leading wicket-taker of the series with 23 scalps, earning the Player of the Match award and helping India square the five-match battle 2–2.

The final day began with India needing four wickets and England requiring just 35 runs. The hosts gained early momentum when Jamie Overton cracked two boundaries off Prasidh Krishna’s opening deliveries. But Siraj quickly tilted the contest in India’s favour, removing Jamie Smith in his first over of the day. He then snared two more vital wickets, including the decisive dismissal of Gus Atkinson with a perfectly executed yorker when England were just seven runs short of the target.

Even ICC Elite Panel umpire Kumar Dharmasena was captivated, sharing a photograph of Siraj’s match-winning ball on Instagram with the caption: “So lucky to witness this ball from the best seat in the house.”

The victory was particularly satisfying for Siraj after the disappointment of the Lord’s Test, where a freak incident saw the ball roll back onto his stumps. His outstanding series has now propelled him to 15th place in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings.

From Dropped Catch to Match Winner – Siraj’s Grit Defines India’s Triumph at The Oval

Siraj’s performance at The Oval was not without its hurdles. On Day 4, he dropped Harry Brook near the boundary ropes, a reprieve that allowed the England batter to go on and score 111. Brook and Joe Root’s 195-run stand for the fourth wicket had put England firmly in control in their chase of 374. Yet, Siraj’s resilience shone through, leading the Indian attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and delivering under pressure.

His influence wasn’t limited to The Oval. In the Edgbaston Test, India’s most dominant win of the series by 336 runs, Siraj took six wickets in the first innings to set the tone. The pacer marked his Oval triumph with a Cristiano Ronaldo-style celebration after taking the final wicket, capping off a nine-wicket haul in the match. His relentless accuracy, ability to move the ball, and knack for breaking partnerships underlined his growing stature as India’s pace spearhead.

In a series where conditions demanded skill and patience, Siraj emerged as India’s workhorse, a bowler who could be trusted with the ball when the game hung in the balance. This tour may well be remembered as the moment Mohammed Siraj fully arrived as a world-class Test fast bowler.