India pulled off a sensational six-run victory against England at The Oval, levelling the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 at 2-2. Starting the final day with England needing just 35 runs and four wickets in hand, the hosts seemed in control. However, Mohammed Siraj produced a breathtaking spell of fast bowling that turned the match on its head. He dismissed Jamie Smith early and later delivered a searing yorker to clean up Gus Atkinson, sealing one of India’s most thrilling overseas Test wins. The triumph was a testament to India’s fighting spirit and Siraj’s ability to rise to the occasion.
The Cristiano Ronaldo connection behind Mohammed Siraj’s bowling heroics
After the match, Siraj revealed an unusual source of motivation behind his match-winning performance — Cristiano Ronaldo. The fiery pacer shared that he woke up two hours earlier than usual on the final day and searched for a motivational image. He found one of Ronaldo with the word “Believe” written across it and immediately set it as his phone wallpaper.
“This morning when I woke up, I searched for this emoji — ‘Believe’ with Cristiano Ronaldo. I knew I could do something special. Normally, I wake up at 8, but today I got up at 6am. From that moment, I believed I could do it. I made it my wallpaper. Belief is very important,” Siraj said, crediting the football legend’s mindset for inspiring his own.
Mohammad Siraj showing the wallpaper of his phone – Believe & Cristiano Ronaldo. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/n5z6WH2fFD
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) August 4, 2025
Siraj’s bowling brilliance in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025
Siraj’s heroics at The Oval capped off a remarkable series for the Hyderabad pacer. He finished with 23 wickets — the most by any bowler in the series — equalling Jasprit Bumrah’s record for the most wickets taken by an Indian in a Test series. His five-wicket haul in the final innings not only dismantled England’s batting lineup but also showcased his ability to thrive under immense pressure. With this performance, Siraj has firmly established himself as one of India’s premier fast bowlers and a key figure in their overseas success.