India defended just 35 runs on the final day of the 5th Test match at Oval. Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj broke down India’s plan coming into Day 5 and how they bowled an incredible set of 53 deliveries to demolish England.
India scripted an incredible comeback win at the Oval on Monday, August 4. Defending just 35 runs on the final day of the 5th Test match, India made life hell for the English batters, picked up 4 wickets to not only win the Test but also level the series.
India bowled a total of 53 balls on the final day of the 5th Test and picked up 4 wickets to script a sensational comeback win. Shubman Gill’s side was down and out even till the Tea break of Day 4. Harry Brook and Joe Root had hit twin hundreds and had taken the game out of India’s hands.
However, late on Day 4, India had scripted a mini-comeback, owing to a terrific spell of bowling from Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Despite the mega comeback which saw the departure of Jacob Bethell and Joe Root, India were still left with much to do.
The Indian team, knowing well that the odds were stacked against them, turned up with great attitude on Day 5. India captain Shubman Gill and Prasidh Krishna came to the press conference. Both of them argued that India were the favourites to win today.
The conditions, and the quality of the fast bowling, were so good from the Indian side that they did not even opt for the new ball despite completing the quota of 80 overs. Shubman explained the decision and said that India knew that England batters were under tremendous pressure.
“We did have the option of the second new ball. But the way Siraj and Prasidh were bowling, we did not need it. They had to score boundaries to win the match, and we knew that they were under pressure. It was just a game of one ball, we were always the favourites to win today,” Shubman said at the press conference.
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Shubman Gill spoke about turning up with the correct attitude every single day. Gill said that one thing he learnt from this series was to never give up and keep fighting in every single session.
“When you have bowlers like Siraj and Prasidh, captaincy seems easy. They were making the ball talk. Yes, there was a bit of pressure on us but they were really bowling well. We were confident. We wanted them to feel the pressure throughout the 35 runs they scored,” Shubman said at the end of the match.
“He (Siraj) is a captain’s dream, every ball, every spell he bowled he came all out and gave it everything for the team. Both teams coming into Day 5 not knowing who would win shows how passionate both teams were and how hard everyone has played,” he added.
