In a light-hearted post-match moment, Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj shared the amusing backstory behind a mini-argument that played out during the tense final moments of the fifth Test between India and England at The Oval. With just 11 runs needed and England hanging on with one wicket left, Siraj delivered a wide yorker to Gus Atkinson on the last ball of the 84th over.
Gus Atkinson missed, and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel collected the ball and tried to roll it onto the stumps in a desperate run-out attempt—but missed. Atkinson, whose job was to shield a struggling Chris Woakes at the other end, managed to steal a single and keep strike for the next over.
Siraj looked frustrated and exchanged some animated words with Shubman Gill, who stood close by. While India eventually sealed a dramatic win—thanks to Siraj’s cracking yorker that dismissed Atkinson two overs later—both players couldn’t help but laugh as they recalled what had really happened.
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“That wide yorker was actually our plan,” Mohammed Siraj explained at the post-match presser. “It was the last ball of the over, and we knew they wouldn’t want Woakes to face the next one. A wide yorker gave us a chance for a dot ball or even a run-out.”
Gill jumped in with the inside story. “He told me to ask Jurel to remove his gloves for a quicker throw,” Gill said, chuckling. “But by the time I could pass the message, Siraj had already started his run-up. Jurel didn’t get the chance, and when the run-out missed, Siraj turned to me and said, ‘Why didn’t you tell him!’”
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Such moments underline the pressure and communication challenges in tight finishes. While the missed chance didn’t hurt India in the end, it showcased how even a small delay or miscommunication can become a talking point. Still, credit to Jurel—who, apart from the misfire, was rock solid behind the stumps, stopping tricky deliveries and ensuring no freebies leaked through.
