India have squared the series on a dramatic final morning at The Oval, completing a nerve-shredding six-run win over England in front of a delirious crowd.
Their hero was Mohammed Siraj, who removed Jamie Smith in the day’s second over, then added Jamie Overton, courtesy of a marginal lbw decision from umpire Kumar Dharmasena.
England had begun the day on 339 for six, needing 35 more for a 3–1 win, and had been boosted by fours off the first two balls by Overton, but they were now staggering at 354 for eight. The momentum was indisputably with India.
And when Prasidh Krishna bowled Josh Tongue for a duck, England were still 17 short. Out walked Chris Woakes to a standing ovation, his left arm in a sling to protect his injured shoulder.
The drama was not over. Gus Atkinson smeared Siraj over wide long-on for six, the ball tipped over the ropes by Akash Deep: 11 required. From the last ball of the over, the batsmen pinched a bye, with Dhruv Jurel’s underarm shy at the stumps missing, and Woakes wincing in agony after scurrying through.
With 10 needed, Atkinson pulled Krishna for two, swung and missed repeatedly, then took a single from the last ball of the over, after Shubman Gill unaccountably left the field spread.
Mohammed Siraj was the hero as India squared the series by beating England by six runs
Siraj managed to bowl Gus Atkinson in dramatic fashion as India impressed at The Oval
Chris Woakes walked out to bat with his left arm in a sling to protect his injured shoulder
England were left frustrated, with Josh Tongue bowled for a duck by Prasidh Krishna
Akash Deep (left), Siraj (centre) and Krishna (right) celebrate following India’s victory
Jamie Smith walks off the field after being removed by Siraj in the day’s second over
England now wanted seven – or six for the tie that would have guaranteed a series victory. But Siraj has been the bowling hero of this series, the only seamer to have remained fit throughout, and now he produced a full-length ball that went under Atkinson’s bat as he attempted to work him to leg.
Siraj’s fifth wicket of the innings was his 23rd of a heroic series, and the Indian fans in the ground rose to acclaim their man. This was the narrowest win in India’s history, and a suitably breathless end to a series that has pulsated all the way through.