In the aftermath of India’s thrilling six-run win in the fifth Test at The Oval, former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik shared a fascinating behind-the-scenes nugget that highlighted just how close the Player of the Series (POTS) decision was between two outstanding performers — Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj.

According to Karthik, England head coach Brendon McCullum had initially picked Gill as his choice for the POTS after Day 4, but by the end of Day 5, it was Siraj who won him over. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik revealed that McCullum had informed broadcaster Mike Atherton that Gill would be his preferred POTS choice.

With Gill’s 754 runs in the series — the second-highest tally by an Indian in an away series — it seemed like a fair decision. In fact, Atherton had gone ahead and prepared all his questions for the presentation with Gill in mind. “If the match had ended yesterday, Gill was McCullum’s pick,” Dinesh Karthik said. “Everything was set for Shubman — the questions, the narrative.”

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But Day 5 turned the tide. Siraj’s blistering spell, where he took 5 wickets, including a lethal yorker to dismiss Gus Atkinson and seal the match, changed everything. McCullum, impressed by Siraj’s relentless spirit, altered his vote for the Player of the Series.

“In a matter of 30-40 minutes, Baz changed it to Siraj,” Karthik added. “And you could see his admiration for Siraj during his post-match comments with Sky Sports.” McCullum’s praise for the Indian pacer was heartfelt. “He’s got the spirit you look for in a fast bowler. Every time he had the ball, there was energy. It meant something to him,” McCullum said. “That spell — that kind of passion — can flip a series. And today, it did.”

Siraj finished the series as the highest wicket-taker with 23 scalps, and his contributions were pivotal, especially in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah for two Tests. Karthik noted that Siraj’s performance showed maturity and a new level of leadership in India’s pace attack.

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“When Bumrah wasn’t around, Siraj didn’t just fill the gap — he owned the role,” Dinesh Karthik said. “He’s come out running in every innings with heart and hunger. This series has shown that he can rise beyond.”

With a draw sealed and two match-winning spells under his belt, Siraj’s evolution is more than just a statistic — it’s a statement.