India snatched a dramatic 6-run victory from the jaws of defeat when they snapped up the 4 remaining England wickets at the Oval on the fifth and final day of the last Test match of an enthralling Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, levelling the series at 2-2. Jamie Overton started the day with two boundaries, which almost made the chase look, academic but Mohammed Siraj struck in the second over of the day, sending back Jamie Smith for just 2.
Siraj would strike again when he sent back Overton for 9 in his very next over and thus completed his 4-wicket haul, at which point India started smelling victory again. Prasidh then rattled Josh Tongue’s stumps two overs later and the visitors were suddenly within one wicket of victory; the hosts needed to knock down 17 runs. The man who came out to bat was Chris Woakes, who had dislocated his shoulder on Day 1 and had a hand in a sling, tucked inside his sweater. Facing deliveries was simply not an option for him but Atkinson did well for a while to rotate strike. That only ramped up the tension.
In the end, with England within six runs of victory, Siraj torpedoed in a low full toss on Atkinson’s off stump first ball of the 86th over. Atkinson missed his sweep, the stumps were rattled and the Indians on the ground and in the stands roared in celebration. Siraj finished with figures of 5/104, Prasidh with 4/126. Akash Deep was the lone wicket-taker outside of the two pacers.
An improbable turnaround
On Sunday, rain in the evening session had pushed the series deciding final Test to day five after a down and out India managed to stay in the game. Like it has been the case through the English summer, a spirited India found a way to fight back through their undeterred spirit after England needed just 57 runs to complete the chase at tea.
Root (105) and Brook (111 off 98) were running away with the contest but Mohammed Siraj and Co refused to give up post the break. While Brook was dismissed before tea, Root was caught behind off Prasidh Krishna after the lanky Indian pacer had found the stumps of a struggling Jacob Bethell, leaving the home team at 337 for six.
Root got out soon after racking up his 39th Test hundred, 13th versus India and third of the series.
The old ball which was not doing a thing in the afternoon session started aiding the pacers and the scoreboard hardly moved. Suddenly the remaining 37 runs seemed a long way off.
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Jamie Overton and Jamie Smith were in the middle when bad light stopped play with the momentum in India’s favour. England were 339 for six and new ball just 3.4 overs away. Rain followed soon, taking the match to day five.
