Bollywood stars Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, and Anil Kapoor celebrate Team India’s thrilling 6-run victory over England at The Oval. Mohammed Siraj’s standout bowling performance helped India level the 5-match Test series, marking a new high for India’s young cricket squad.
India’s cricketing brilliance was on full display as the national team clinched a heart-stopping victory in the final Test match against England at The Oval in London. With the five-match series tied at 2-2, this final match turned out to be a dramatic, morale-boosting triumph for Team India. While the players dazzled on the field, celebrations poured in from every corner of the country — including enthusiastic cheers from Bollywood.
The match, which saw India narrowly defeat England by 6 runs, was marked by a strong bowling performance led by Mohammed Siraj, whose fiery spell became the highlight of the fifth day. Bollywood stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Arjun Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, and veteran actor Anupam Kher joined millions of fans in applauding the team’s heroic efforts.
Bollywood Applauds Siraj’s Brilliance
Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan took to her Instagram Stories to post a still of Mohammed Siraj in action, captioned simply, “Jai Hind,” acknowledging his match-winning contribution. Siraj, who stepped up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, emerged as a key figure in India’s pace attack, clinching four crucial wickets in the first innings and maintaining relentless pressure in the second.
Arjun Kapoor, who starred with Kareena in the film Ki & Ka, also saluted Siraj’s never-say-die spirit. Sharing a heartfelt note on Instagram, he praised the bowler’s resilience:
“@mohammedsirajofficial Miyaan kya baat hai!!! Dil khol ke celebrate ki jeeye aap… to come and bowl like this on day 5 to draw the series… for the spirit u showed. Desh ke liye ladke jeete ho aap aaj. Jai hind @indiancricketteam.”
Veteran actor Anil Kapoor celebrated the match’s intensity on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “What a fight. What a finish. Team India doesn’t play safe, they play like legends,” though missing the popular internet catchphrase “What a player,” much to the amusement of fans.
Anupam Kher, another veteran actor, expressed patriotic pride, writing, “Team India Zindabad!!! Jai Hind.”
Match Summary: From Struggle to Glory
India batted first and struggled, getting bowled out for 224 runs. Only Karun Nair stood tall with a gritty 57 off 109 balls. The top order faltered, with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul falling cheaply. England took advantage, scoring 247 in their first innings — a 23-run lead — powered by contributions from Zak Crawley (64), Ben Duckett (43), and Harry Brook (53).
But the turnaround came in the second innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored just 2 in the first innings, bounced back with a masterful 118 off 164 balls. While KL Rahul couldn’t contribute much, key half-centuries came from Akash Deep, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, taking India to an impressive 396.
With a target of 373 set, England started well but were met with fierce resistance from the Indian bowlers. Duckett stood firm with 54, and both Joe Root and Harry Brook scored centuries to keep England in the hunt. However, India’s relentless attack, led by Siraj and backed by excellent field placements and spirited energy, proved decisive. England was bowled out just 6 runs short of the target.
Siraj’s performance — in the absence of senior pros like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — made him not just a tactical match-winner but also a symbol of the new generation of Indian cricketers. His leadership in the bowling attack, especially without experienced slip fielders, drew widespread admiration.
A New Era of Indian Test Cricket?
With the series ending in a draw, this match will be remembered not only for its thrilling finish but also as a defining moment for the next-gen Indian Test side. With players like Jaiswal, Siraj, and Akash Deep stepping up in crunch moments, India appears to be building a formidable team for the future.
| Also Read: Fatima Sana Shaikh celebrates Sam Bahadur’s National Award glory |
The support from Bollywood only underscored how deeply the sport is woven into India’s cultural fabric. In victory or defeat, cricket remains the pulse of the nation — and this win has certainly set the tone for exciting times ahead.
