Siraj ‘woke up believing’ ahead of Test heroics

MOHAMMED Siraj said he never lost faith in his own ability to deliver a sensational victory for India in the fifth and deciding Test at the Oval on Monday.

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England, set 374 to win, lost a nail-biting encounter by just six runs, with Siraj returning innings figures of 5-104 as India ended a rollercoaster campaign level at 2-2.

The hosts resumed Monday’s final day on 339-6, needing just 35 more runs for a win that would have given them a 3-1 series success.

But they had no answer to the enduring skill of fast bowler Siraj, who featured in all five games.

He undid England on Monday with a brilliant burst of 3-9 in 25 balls, ending the match in style when he knocked over Gus Atkinson’s off-stump.

"From the first day until the fifth game, fifth day, we have fought an unbelievable fight," said Siraj, who bowled a marathon 185.3 overs during the series.

"God must have written something good for me, that's why I won this match and took the last wicket.