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Siraj Enters Legendary List: Indians With Best Bowling Spells Vs England In Tests At Oval

Jatin

Mohammed Siraj has been phenomenal for India [Source: @BCCI/x.com]Mohammed Siraj has been phenomenal for India [Source: @BCCI/x.com]

There is something about Mohammed Siraj and high-pressure cricket in England. The man just knows how to bring the house down when the Oval crowd is buzzing and the stakes are sky-high.

Siraj wreaked havoc at The Oval in the 5th ENG vs IND Test as he turned up with heart, hustle and a bag full of tricks. His efforts ensured India a famous 6-run win and it tied the series 2-2 and gave Test cricket yet another reason to flex.

Over the decades, a few bowlers have put in stunning spells at this iconic ground. Let’s take a look at the top 5 best bowling performances by Indian bowlers at The Oval.

5. Mohammad Nissar: 5/120 In 1936

This one is dusty, but golden. In 1936, India were still finding their feet in Test cricket. But Mohammad Nissar, one of India's earliest genuine fast bowlers, wasn’t here to just take part. On a flat Oval wicket, he bowled with raw pace and dismissed some of England’s finest.

He sent back the likes of Wally Hammond (217), Maurice Leyland, Stan Worthington, Gubby Allen and Hedley Verity, all on his own steam. His spell of 5 for 120 was India's only shining light as England posted 471. Though India followed on and lost by 9 wickets, Nissar’s effort announced that Indian fast bowling had arrived.

4. Harbhajan Singh: 5/115 In 2002

If cricket had a "one-man army" award, Harbhajan Singh would have taken it home for this one. The 2002 Oval Test was a run-fest. England smashed 515, led by Michael Vaughan’s 195. Everyone else in the Indian bowling attack was bleeding runs. But not Bhajji. Bowling a marathon 38.4 overs, he picked up 5 crucial wickets, including Butcher, Stewart, Cork, Tudor and Hoggard.

What made it special? The pitch offered zilch. Flat as a highway. Yet Bhajji spun it, looped it, tricked the batters. India replied with 508, thanks to a masterclass from Rahul Dravid (217). The match drifted to a draw, but Harbhajan’s effort made sure England didn’t run away.

3. Mohammed Siraj: 5/104 In 2025*

This was the kind of match you tell generations about. The final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy was set up perfectly; 2-1 to England with India looking to level it. And when India folded for 224 in the first innings, it looked grim. But Mohammed Siraj had other plans. He picked up 4/86 in the first dig to keep England to 247, swinging the ball both ways and breathing fire.

Then came Akash Deep’s counter-punch with 66 and Jaiswal’s 118, pushing India to 396 and setting England a target of 374. The hosts were cruising at one point as Brook and Root stitched up 195, but Siraj never lost faith. After dismissing Zak Crawley and Pope, he ran through the tail on the final day and sealed a 6-run win.

2. Surendra Nath: 5/75 In 1959

This match was a one-sided affair. But amidst the carnage, Surendra Nath stitched a spell that was pure gold dust. Bowling 51.3 overs with 25 maidens, he returned 5 for 75, a masterclass in discipline. On a wicket where others went for runs, he choked the scoring rate and took out big names like Cowdrey, Pullar, Dexter, Greenhough and Swetman.

England still scored 361, but Surendranath’s economy of 1.45 was mind-bending. In a match where India didn’t touch 200 in either innings, he stood as the lone warrior but England won by an innings and 27 runs.

1. BS Chandrasekhar: 6/38 In 1971

The series was 0-0 coming into the 3rd Test at The Oval. England posted 355 in the first innings thanks to Alan Knott and Richard Hutton. India replied with 284, trailing by 71. Then came Bhagwath Chandrasekhar. Bowling with that famous whiplash action, he ran through England’s second innings with 6 wickets for just 38 runs. 

The hosts collapsed for 101, giving India a target of 173. India’s chase wasn’t easy as Gavaskar was dismissed for a duck but Ajit Wadekar, Dilip Sardesai, Gundappa Viswanath and Farokh Engineer steered the ship home. India won by 4 wickets and clinched their first-ever series victory in England.