India’s here-and-now man Siraj ushers in the future

It is unlikely that Indian television will devise a ‘Sirajcam’, but it should. Since the retirement of Virat Kohli (and the so-called ‘Kohlicam’, seemingly focused exclusively on him), it is Siraj’s face that screens in real time all the emotions he and his team go through. There is sorrow and joy, disappointment and anticipation, humour and anger (England players called him Mr. Angry), and sometimes a combination.

Watching him you know exactly how the team is doing. His shoulders never drop, he seldom cuts his speed, doesn’t believe in saving it for the future. He is Indian cricket’s here-and-now man, focused intensely on the present.

Yet even he didn’t register immediately the enormity of what he had done when, with a yorker his hero Jasprit Bumrah would have been proud of, he flattened Gus Atkinson’s off stump. For a split second the screen that was his face went blank before shock, disbelief, ecstasy chased each other across it. Then his expressive hands came into play, hands raised in thanksgiving, and signalling redemption at the Oval after he had messed up a catch the previous day.

In a series dominated by batting, his 23 wickets might have seen Siraj finish as the Player of the Series, but he will not cavil at the final choice, his captain Shubhman Gill. After all, Gill had been responsible for India’s win at Edgbaston following the loss at Leeds, and had led the fight that culminated in a draw at Old Trafford to keep the series alive. Asked what he had learnt as captain, Gill articulated what might well be the team’s motto: “We never give up”.

Gill has deservedly slipped into the slot occupied by Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar before him. The team is a productive mix of the established and the newbies who look up to the new captain. India return a better team than the one that landed in England, and you can’t ask for more.

Ironically, India won twice without Bumrah’s presence. His absence seems to motivate Siraj more. He enjoys the responsibility of being the lead fast bowler. Seven wickets in Birmingham and nine at the Oval, 16 wickets in India’s wins. Few supporting acts slide into the main role so easily.

Has there been a more thrilling five-Test series involving India? Both teams must contribute to the excitement, of course, and England did so in equal measure, Bazballing to the end, staying with their philosophy, keeping at it come rain or sunshine or Mohammed Siraj. The dismissals of Harry Brook in the first innings and Jamie Smith in the second might have caused comment in other teams. But this is England. This is what they do. Ben Stokes, the on-field instigator of bright, entertaining cricket may have been a spectator here, but stand-in skipper Ollie Pope, despite personal failures, went with the programme.

It’s been a series of incredible cricket. One swing of the bat might have tied the final Test. As Siraj began his 31st over, the 86th of the innings, any of four results (although the draw might have needed the help of rain) was still possible. The odds on England making it 3-1 had receded somewhat, but someone still needed to take the final wicket. Preferably one where the DRS was not involved! Siraj made sure of both.

There is time enough to discuss things that could have been better. Things that could have been avoided. From Gautam Gambhir’s outburst and classist remarks to the rethink on Bumrah; from team selection to gaps yet to be filled. It has to be celebration time now, a 2-2 finish a fair one. India did win most of the sessions of play overall even if they didn’t quite win some key moments. None of that matters now. For a team in transition to draw a series in England is remarkable. It came down to one man taking three wickets on the final morning.

Siraj has explained how he googled the Cristiano Ronaldo emoji with ‘Believe’ (Ronaldo is with his arm raised and forefinger up rather like Siraj when he appeals for a wicket) to inspire him. Next time Ronaldo feels low, he can google Mohammed Siraj who believed. And triumphed.