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Kumar Dharmasena Lets Go Of Neutral Tag; Praises Siraj For His Masterclass At Oval

Soumyajit Dutta

Kumar Dharmasena praises Siraj's wicket on Instagram [Source: @ICC/X.com]Kumar Dharmasena praises Siraj's wicket on Instagram [Source: @ICC/X.com]

Mohammed Siraj transformed heartbreak into triumph, spearheading India's nail-biting six-run victory over England at The Oval to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. A week after his heroics, the pace workhorse's relentless spell on Day 5 continues to captivate fans. 

With England needing just 35 runs and four wickets standing, Siraj ignited India's comeback, shattering nerves and stumps to script a remarkable redemption from his Lord's dismissal misfortune.

His defining moment came with England seven runs from victory. Siraj unleashed a devastating, pinpoint yorker that demolished Gus Atkinson's off-stump, triggering wild celebrations and his signature Cristiano Ronaldo-style 'Siuu' celebration. The magnitude of the delivery wasn't lost on the officials either.

Dharmasena Posts Special Praise For Siraj On Instagram!

ICC Elite Umpire Kumar Dharmasena, who stood in the match, shared an image of the uprooted stumps on Instagram, paying tribute to the fast bowler. “So lucky to witness this ball from the best seat in the house,” Dharmasena wrote, capturing the moment perfectly. This performance crowned Mohammed Siraj Player of the Match. 

Kumar Dharmasena's post on Instagram [Source: @kumardharmasenaofficial/X.com]Kumar Dharmasena's post on Instagram [Source: @kumardharmasenaofficial/X.com]

He finished the decisive Oval Test with nine wickets and was the series' leading wicket-taker (23 scalps), propelling him to 15th in the ICC Test Rankings. His resilience shone through, especially bouncing back after dropping a crucial catch of Harry Brook (who scored 111) on Day 4, a miss that threatened to cost India dearly as Brook and Root built a massive partnership.

Siraj's leadership of the attack was pivotal in the two Tests Jasprit Bumrah missed. He shouldered the responsibility brilliantly, replicating his impactful role in India's Edgbaston win, where his six-wicket first innings haul set the foundation. The Oval cemented Siraj's status as India's pace spearhead, delivering under immense pressure when his team needed him the most.