Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh showered praise on pacer Mohammed Siraj following his match-winning performance in the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval. India secured a thrilling 6-run victory, leveling the series 2-2.
Siraj celebrated England’s final wicket with his signature Cristiano Ronaldo-style celebration on Day 5. Harbhajan, impressed by his consistent effort across the series, called him “India’s Ronaldo” for the passion and determination he displayed. Though Siraj dropped a key catch on Day 4 that gave Harry Brook a reprieve, he bounced back and played a pivotal role in clinching the win for his team.
“I thought England would chase it down since their batting depth is strong. But the way Siraj and Prasidh Krishna bowled was brilliant—they turned the match around completely. Siraj is our Ronaldo. He took 23 wickets in the series and gave it his all whenever he had the ball. When he dropped that catch, many believed the match was over. But he focused on the job ahead and redeemed himself. He’s going to return from England a hero,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.
Siraj Finishes as Leading Wicket-Taker of the Series
With 23 wickets from five Tests at an average of 32.43, including two five-wicket hauls, Siraj emerged as the top wicket-taker in the series. His nine-wicket haul in the final Test was crucial to India’s narrow win.
Praise for Captain Shubman Gill
Harbhajan also commended Shubman Gill’s leadership and batting performance throughout the series. According to him, the series was a defining one for India’s future in Test cricket, and Gill’s emergence as both captain and top-order batter was a massive positive.
“This was a very important series—it would shape the future of Indian cricket. I said from the start not to focus on results right away. Shubman has just taken over as captain, and he has a young team around him. The core takes time to settle. But the way he led and the way he batted—honestly, I haven’t seen anyone succeed like this in England. For him, this was a Don Bradman-type series,” he said.
Gill ended the series as the highest run-scorer, amassing 754 runs at an average of 75.40. He struck four centuries, including a double hundred.
Harbhajan Applauds KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja
The former off-spinner also credited opener KL Rahul for solidifying India’s top order. Rahul scored 532 runs with two centuries and two fifties, playing all five Tests as an opener.
“KL Rahul gave exactly what you want from a Test opener. He has been moved around the order before, but here he opened throughout and delivered. Scoring 532 runs in such tough conditions says a lot. When you back someone like Rahul, it pays off. He’s one of the strongest batters we have in red-ball cricket,” Harbhajan noted.
He further praised Ravindra Jadeja for proving his critics wrong with the bat. The all-rounder scored 516 runs at an average of 86, including a century and five half-centuries.
“Jadeja’s batting was exceptional. People often say he’s a bowler who can bat a bit. But this series showed otherwise. Scoring over 500 runs in England is no small feat. He’s answered everyone who doubted his batting,” Harbhajan added.
