India’s Mohammed Siraj found himself in the eye of a storm on Day 4 of the fifth Test against England at The Oval after a costly fielding lapse that allowed Harry Brook to continue a dangerous innings. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting led the criticism, calling out Siraj’s lack of awareness during a crucial moment in the match.
The incident occurred during the final hour of the morning session, with England chasing a challenging target of 373 runs. Harry Brook and Joe Root had begun building a solid partnership, pushing back against India’s early breakthroughs. It was Prasidh Krishna who created a golden opportunity to dismiss Brook and tilt the match back in India’s favor.
On the first delivery of the 35th over, Brook mistimed a pull shot and top-edged it high into the air. The Indian team, especially Prasidh, erupted in anticipation, confident that the breakthrough had finally come. Mohammed Siraj stationed himself perfectly under the ball near the boundary line, caught it cleanly — and then disaster struck. In an inexplicable move, Mohammed took a step back after completing the catch and stepped onto the boundary rope, turning a wicket into six runs.
Mohammed Siraj immediately realized the magnitude of his mistake, burying his face in his hands in disbelief. What could have been a pivotal moment for India ended up being a lifeline for Brook, who remained unbeaten through the end of the session and continued to pile on the runs.
Ponting Slams Mohammed Siraj: “What Was He Thinking?”
Ricky Ponting, speaking on Sky Sports, minced no words in his analysis of the blunder. “What was he thinking? He wasn’t thinking at all,” Ponting said. “He didn’t need to move after completing the catch. That’s a massive moment. Brook is still in, and he reads bowlers so well. The way he plays in Tests is like how batters analyze bowlers in T20s.”
Ponting’s frustration was echoed by many observers who believed that the catch, had it stood, could have significantly shifted momentum back in India’s favor during a tense session. The Indian bowling attack had already managed to remove key top-order batters and had England on the ropes at 106/3. Brook’s reprieve helped the hosts seize back the initiative.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri took a more balanced view, acknowledging both the quality of cricket and the dramatic swings in momentum during the session. “That session was Test cricket at its best,” Shastri remarked. “It was a watchful first hour with tight bowling and plenty of on-field energy. Fielders were chirping, bowlers kept probing — it was gripping stuff.”
Shastri acknowledged the brilliance of Brook’s counterattack, likening it to past performances by India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant, who is known for shifting gears under pressure. “India picked up a couple of wickets, but then came the counterpunch. Harry Brook did a Rishabh Pant. He disrupted the rhythm, anticipated well, and looked like he was there to dominate,” Shastri said.
At a point when India desperately needed a breakthrough to put the pressure back on England, Mohammed Siraj’s error proved to be a turning point. Though Brook had not yet reached a big score, the fact that Mohammed was given a second chance turned out to be extremely costly, given his form and confidence at the crease.
Brook, alongside Joe Root, began rebuilding England’s innings with composure and aggression, showing clear intent to chase down the daunting total. With Root providing stability and Brook taking the attack to the bowlers, India’s hopes of leveling the series began to slip away.
The fielding lapse from Mohammed Siraj will likely remain one of the defining moments of the match. While mistakes are part and parcel of the game, such costly errors in high-pressure situations often prove decisive in the final outcome. As the Test match heads toward a nail-biting conclusion, all eyes will remain on Brook and Root — and on whether India’s bowlers can claw back after a missed opportunity.
The incident is also a reminder of the fine margins in Test cricket — where a single step can mean the difference between triumph and regret. For Siraj and Team India, the road ahead now depends on how well they respond to the pressure and whether they can make up for what might have been a match-turning moment.
