Mohammad Siraj and his fairy tale: Lord’s bore witness to history yesterday as India staged a dramatic turnaround on the last day to stun the hosts.
As the day started, it seemed like the game was completely beyond India’s reach and England tightened their vice on the game by getting two early wickets in Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma.
With the lead barely crossing 182 when Sharma departed, it felt like England will be chasing something close to 200 at the most. However, Shami and Bumrah had other plans and they stitched together the highest ninth wicket partnership for India against England as the duo amassed 89 runs with Shami blasting a fifty and Bumrah staying unbeaten on 34.
With a total of 258 on the boards, England started wobbling early in the innings. Both their openers were sent back for naught while Root seemed to be their solitary resister with a decent 33.
Sadly, things fell apart with Root being dismissed and Mohammad Siraj conjured another extra-ordinary spell to rip through the English tail that snuffed out any hopes of deliverance.
After a four-fer in the opening innings, he came up with another four-fer in the second as he claimed the prized scalps of Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran and Mohammad Siraj. The last nail in the coffin was the one of Jimmy as his off-stump was rattled with a peach of a delivery.
Despite a few rollicking performances with both the bat and the ball, KL Rahul was chosen as the man of the match for his blistering ton in the first innings of the game that played a pivotal role in helping India to create the latest window of opportunity.
However, Twitter believed that it should have been Siraj to be awarded the prestigious award for a few crucial wickets at important junctures in the game.
Mohammad Siraj is coming of age. Brilliant.
Advertisement— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 16, 2021
It’s a toss up between K L Rahul and Mohamed Siraj for me as man of match. Who’s your pick?
Advertisement— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 16, 2021
Mohammed Siraj as he is young and a POM in Lord's will boost his confidence to sky-high. #ENGvIND #IndvsEng
Advertisement— Abdullah Laskar (@_trueabd_07) August 16, 2021
Siraj I would have preferred considering the impact his performance had in both the innings. He not only took wickets of the opposition but also broke them down mentally with aggression. Sure shot MOM
Advertisement— Naanu (@Tw33tShoot3r) August 16, 2021
I would have picked @mdsirajofficial as my Player of the Match. Nevertheless, fantastic turnaround by #TeamIndia #BCCI #ENGvIND. Test Cricket is here to stay..
Advertisement— Suraj Kumar S (@cool_sooraj) August 16, 2021
Kl Rahul played a very beautiful innings but Siraj helped India win. I cannot express my praise for Siraj enough. No wickets in his first 6-7 overs and then taking 4 wickets, he showed great patience. He showed us how to win if we don't give up. Whoever the MOM maybe what a win!
Advertisement— sreehari r p (@sreeharirp1) August 17, 2021
Bowlers win you games by taking wickets;) Well done team India for showcasing ultimate fightin spirit! #IndvsEng #bumrah #siraj #shami #ishant
Advertisement— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 16, 2021
There is something quite special about Mohammed Siraj, the son of a Hyderabad auto-rickshaw driver, bowling his side to victory amongst the popping champagne corks of Lord's. What. A. Game. #ENGvIND
Advertisement— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury) August 16, 2021
Mohammed Siraj: from net bowler to bowling super star in less than a year. Remarkable. #ENGvIND
Advertisement— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) August 16, 2021
India have found a jewel in Mohammad Siraj. What a bowler he has been for them since the Australia tour. 5-wicket haul in the historic win in Brisbane and 8 wickets now in his first Lord’s Test. Well played, India. Great game of cricket. #EngvInd
Advertisement— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) August 16, 2021
