Redemption, bravery and glory of Test cricket

If Test cricket is the sporting equivalent of a literary epic, the five-match Test series between England and India was its Iliad -- a battle of two groups of warriors which will go down in history as a tale of valour, heroism and sheer audacity.

The final act of the series, on the morning of Day 5 of the fifth Test at the Oval on Monday, was like a climax of a great play with everything that had gone on for the past one-and-a-half months leading up to this epic conclusion.

England needed 35 runs to seal the series 3-1, while visitors India, who had clawed back into the game the previous day, were just four wickets away from ending their 18-year streak of series defeats on English soil.

The stage was set for someone to emerge as a hero, and that opportunity was grabbed by India pacer Mohammed Siraj.

Prior to Monday morning, Siraj in this series had all the makings of a tragic hero. With spearhead Jasprit Bumrah playing only three of the five Tests to manage his workload, Siraj played every game, bowling a staggering 181.2 overs by the end of the series.

But till the fifth day, Siraj's bighearted effort was almost overshadowed by two unforced errors.

The first one happened in the final moments of the Lord's Test, when Siraj, India's No.11, perfectly defended the ball only to see it bounce back off the pitch and nudge the wicket just enough to dislodge the bails, handing the hosts a 22-run win.

The second happened just the previous day, when he caught Harry Brook on 19 in the boundary but stepped onto the ropes afterwards to make it a six. Brook later went on to make a 98-ball 111 before departing that very day.

It seemed like Siraj was destined to end up as the protagonist of a Greek tragedy, as no matter how hard he tried, fate always intervened to keep him from achieving absolution.

But unlike those literary protagonists, Siraj didn't surrender to his fate; he rebelled against it.

The 31-year-old carried his weary body into the middle, bowled with a big heart for one last time in the series, snapped up three of the final four wickets, and rightfully claimed the final wicket with a yorker and let loose a 'Siuu' celebration, creating a moment that will most likely stand the test of time.

Siraj may have emerged as the hero in the final act, but a thought must be spared for Chris Woakes, who stood at the non-striker's end and looked on as the Indian team erupted in wild celebrations.

Woakes had no business being out in the middle as the all-rounder had dislocated his shoulder while fielding on the opening day and was effectively ruled out of the rest of the Test.

But with the match and series at stake, Woakes, with his left hand in a sling and a sweater on top, came out to bat after England lost their ninth wicket with 17 runs still to get.

One-handed heroics are nothing new in cricket, and Woakes joined the list of many bravehearts who have put the team ahead of their health.

Mercifully for Woakes, his partner Gus Atkinson shielded him away from the strike, as the all-rounder stood at the non-striker's end throughout his stay, running a couple of singles and a two for his partner.

But his bravery couldn't save the hosts as India and Siraj had the last laugh.

This series could be the beginning of captain Shubman Gill's India's Test dominance and a sign that England's Bazball approach is losing its novelty.

But those conversations can be left alone for later, as right now, it's time to applaud the redemption of Siraj, the bravery of Woakes, and the incredible entertainment served up by two marvellous Test sides.