Much like the many unforgettable moments the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has delivered, Day 4 of the fifth and final Test brought another twist. A dramatic turn of events left English fans elated and Indian supporters heartbroken, perfectly capturing the fierce emotional nature of this gripping series finale.
Mohammed Siraj’s boundary blunder turns crucial wicket into a six
Mohammed Siraj committed a blunder that left him in deep shock. In the tense chase of 374, the moment came in the 35th over of the fourth innings. Prasidh Krishna bowled a short ball and Harry Brook went for the pull, top-edging it high into the air. Prasidh began celebrating, trusting his teammate had it covered. Siraj, stationed at long leg, took the catch cleanly but misjudged his position. Just after completing it, he stepped back and unknowingly touched the boundary cushion. As the reality sank in, he covered his face in disbelief. What looked like a crucial wicket turned into six priceless runs.
Here’s how fans reacted:
A HEART-BREAKING MOMENT 💔 pic.twitter.com/9rQl9Zkw7e
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 3, 2025
Siraj mere bhai dont let us haunt this mistake of yours forever 🙃🙃🙃
— Vivek Desai (@vivekdesai1993) August 3, 2025
Catches wins you matches. Still only Siraj can turn this around, he is our best bowler.#MohammedSiraj
— Imvivek (@VivekVinod777) August 3, 2025
A HEART-BREAKING MOMENT FOR TEAM INDIA 🇮🇳
– Siraj took the catch, and the Indian Team started their Celebrations, but Siraj’s foot got in contact with the boundary line 😲
– A Game Changing Moment, What’s your take on this 🤔 #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/ay3JW0Dozg
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) August 3, 2025
AREY NAHI MIYAAN JI! 😩
Boundary touch kar di yaar… bas catch le lete toh kamaal ho jaata! 🫠🔥#Siraj #INDvsENG #TheOvalTest #MissedChance #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/PnaP0Btopd— CRIME MASTER GOGO (@crimegogo40) August 3, 2025
This chance given by Harry Brook & not taken by Mohammed Siraj has changed everything. It is not good for India now. pic.twitter.com/a2bS0RxtSC
— Vipul 🇮🇳 (@Vipul_Espeaks) August 3, 2025
Mohammed Siraj × Randal Kolo Muani
Harry Brook × Emiliano Martínez#INDvsENG #WorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/E1qI4mLjhZ
— Jay Vijeshkumar (@jay_vijeshkumar) August 3, 2025
MOHAMMED SIRAJ GIVE CHANCE TO HARRY BROOK HEARTBREAK MOMENT pic.twitter.com/NV5KbIclpM
— Ajay. (@Crycloverajay) August 3, 2025
This defeat will be so embarrassing. Imagine our bowlers aren’t capable enough to defend 374 runs. That Harry Brook’s dropped catch by Mohammed Siraj will haunt for a long long time. This series should’ve been 2-2 but 💔.
— Abhishek Roy (@AbhiroyTweets) August 3, 2025
Not to be that guy but Siraj should’ve used reverse cup to take this catch within safe distance from boundary. Small things like these can change result of entire series.#INDvsENG #cricket pic.twitter.com/GND8AXVdq6
— MnM (@AltMenM) August 3, 2025
Harry Brook and Joe Root steady England after early setbacks
The match hung finely in the balance till lunch on Day 4, with England needing 210 runs to seal the series. Resuming after the late blow of Zak Crawley’s dismissal on the final ball of Day 3, the hosts looked determined. Ben Duckett started confidently, playing a few crisp shots, but edged Prasidh while attempting an ambitious drive. A few overs later, skipper Ollie Pope was trapped lbw by Siraj for 27, handing India a much-needed breakthrough.
What followed was Brook’s counterattacking brilliance. The right-hander arrived with intent, stepping down the pitch and targeting both seam and spin. He launched a flurry of boundaries, taking the attack to the bowlers and shifting the pressure back on India. Brook stormed to 38 off just 30 balls, surviving a costly missed catch in the deep. At the other end, Joe Root held firm with an assured 23, and together the pair kept England’s hopes alive heading into the lunch.
Also WATCH: Mohammed Siraj’s magical inswinger castles Ollie Pope on Day 4 of the fifth Test