Overview

• Mohammed Siraj finished as the series’ leading wicket-taker with 23 scalps and produced a decisive 5-104 in the Oval’s final innings to secure a six-run win.
• Shubman Gill’s record 754 runs at an average of 75.40 earned him Player of the Series honours as India navigated its first Test assignment without retired seniors.
• India’s pre-planned rest for Jasprit Bumrah in two Tests elevated Siraj into a leadership role, allowing the Hyderabad pacer to spearhead the attack.
• Former Pakistan cricketer Shabbir Ahmed’s disputed ball-tampering claims prompted calls for official examination but have been widely dismissed by media and authorities.
• Sachin Tendulkar lauded Siraj’s relentless pace after more than 1,000 series deliveries, and R Ashwin rebuked Ben Stokes for calling injury substitutions a “joke.”