London | India pulled off an incredible six-run victory over England in the seesawing fifth and final Test here Monday to secure a creditable 2-2 draw in a blockbuster series which ebbed and flowed over weeks of slugfest between the two cricketing powerhouses.
The tireless Mohammed Siraj (5/104) emerged as the team's biggest hero with one of his finest bowling efforts. He finished the series with 23 wickets, the highest across both teams.
Set a record target of 374, England were placed at 339 for six when bad light and torrential rain forced an early stumps on the fourth evening.
India picked up the remaining four wickets in quick time, as England's second innings ended at 367 in 85.1 overs.
Siraj and Prasidh Krishna (4/126) sizzled with the ball when their team needed them the most.
Down with a shoulder injury and his left arm in a sling, Chris Woakes came at number 11 and battled tremendous pain while he was in the middle.
England won the opener by five wickets at Leeds, but India came back strongly with their crushing 336-run victory in the second match at Birmingham, before the hosts regained their series lead by edging out the Shubman Gill-led visitors by 22 runs at Lord's.
India produced a remarkable fifth day batting display to share honours in the fourth game at Manchester.
Then came the memorable comeback by the tourists after Joe Root and Harry Brook had hit what looked to be series-clinching centuries, setting up a tantalising final day's play with three wickets on the fourth evening.
Brief scores:
India: 224 and 396
England: 247 and 367 all out in 85.1 overs (Joe Root 105, Harry Brook 111, Ben Duckett 54; Mohammed Siraj 5/104, Prasidh Krishna 4/126)
Scoreboard at the end of the fifth Test between India and England here on Monday.
India 1st innings: 224
England 1st innings: 247
India 2nd innings: 396
England 2nd innings: (overnight 339/6 in 76.2 overs) Zak Crawley b Mohammed Siraj 14
Ben Duckett c Rahul b Prasidh Krishna 54 Ollie Pope lbw b Mohammed Siraj 27
Joe Root c Jurel b Prasidh Krishna 105
Harry Brook c Mohammed Siraj b Akash Deep 111 Jacob Bethell b Prasidh Krishna 5
Jamie Smith c Jurel b Mohammed Siraj 2
Jamie Overton lbw b Mohammed Siraj 9
Gus Atkinson b Mohammed Siraj 17
Josh Tongue b Prasidh Krishna 0
Chris Woakes not out 0
Extras: (B-2 LB-9 NB-1 W-11) 23
Total: (All out in 85.1 overs) 367
Fall of wickets: 1/50 2/82 3/106 4/301 5/332 6/337 7/347 8/354 9/357 10/367 Bowling: Akash Deep 20-4-85-1, Prasidh Krishna 27-3-126-4, Mohammed Siraj 30.1-6-104-5, Washington Sundar 4-0-19-0, Ravindra Jadeja 4-0-22-0.
London | The legendary Sachin Tendulkar led the way as the Indian cricket fraternity on Monday lavished praise on the Shubman Gill-led team after the stunning win in the fifth Test against England, which helped them square the five-match series.
Pacer Mohammed Siraj (5/104) was the standout performer, delivering one of his finest performances under pressure. He finished the series with 23 wickets — the highest across both teams.
Set a record target of 374, England were well-placed at 339 for six at stumps on the penultimate day, before bad light and rain halted play. However, India picked up the remaining four wickets quickly on the final morning to bowl England out for 367.
Tendulkar lauded the team's performance, rating them a perfect 10.
"Test cricket... absolute goosebumps. Series 2–2, Performance 10/10! SUPERMEN from INDIA! What a Win," Tendulkar tweeted.
Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly praised the team's consistency and key performers.
"Exceptional series from jadeja, Washington, pant ..so much consistency from this young team. @bcci."
Former batter Wasim Jaffer wrote on 'X': "Series drawn but India take the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on boundary count @MichaelVaughan #ENGvIND."
Lauding the team's effort, former India captain and spin great Anil Kumble wrote: "Well played India!! What a series… #INDvsENG. Well done to everyone involved from both teams. Stunning performance today by @mdsirajofficial and @prasidh43 to hold their nerves. Congratulations @ShubmanGill and the team for a great series!"
India batter Suryakumar Yadav also hailed the team for the incredible win.
"What a solid show, boys! Love watching this team fight and finish strong till the very end #TeamIndia."
Veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane added: "Test cricket doesn't get better than this. Tense finish, pressure moments, and character on display. Well done @BCCI."
Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised Siraj's grit, tweeting: "Iron body with heart of a Lion. Mohammed Siraj."
Echoing the sentiment, former spinner Harbhajan Singh wrote: "Brilliant from Siraj and Prasidh. What a win for us. Great Test match. @mdsirajofficial @prasidh43 @BCCI. Congratulations to every member of the team @ShubmanGill. Tum sab ne jeeta DIL. Love you guys."
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan also chimed in, saying: "Wow .. I haven't witnessed anything quite like that .. an incredible series .. #ENGvIND."
Besides, Prasidh Krishna (4/126) was also instrumental in scripting the thrilling win, striking at crucial moments to turn the tide in India's favour.