The final moments of Day 3 of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at The Oval were filled with high drama, as Mohammed Siraj bowled a stunning last-ball yorker to dismiss Zak Crawley. The dismissal sent shockwaves through the stadium and ignited celebrations among the Indian players. However, one man found himself in a unique position – Dinesh Karthik, who was on air with Sky Sports Cricket at the time.
Karthik, known for his insightful commentary, was caught live on camera trying to contain his excitement as Siraj's delivery crashed into Crawley's stumps. Seated beside Mel Jones, Karthik was mid-sentence when the wicket fell. As Jones took over commentary duties to call the dismissal, Karthik was seen clutching the armrests of his chair, spinning slightly, and visibly thrilled, yet maintaining his composure.
Following the dismissal, Karthik offered his analysis of the moment, explaining the mindset of a batter in Crawley's position. He suggested that Crawley, having batted for a long time and wanting to see out the day, may have gone into a shell, leading to a less committed shot. Karthik described it as a mistake many batters have made in the past.
Earlier in the day, Karthik had interviewed Siraj for Sky Cricket, where they discussed Siraj's role in the team, especially in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Karthik noted how Siraj has stepped up and taken responsibility when Bumrah hasn't been in the playing XI. Siraj responded by saying that he enjoys the extra responsibility and likes to stand up for the team. He added that he misses Bumrah, who leads by example, but doesn't take extra pressure and tries to keep things simple.
Siraj's performance in the match, and indeed the series, has been noteworthy. He has bowled a high number of overs and has been a key bowler for India, especially with other pacers dealing with injuries. His ability to bowl with pace and aggression, combined with his unwavering energy, has made him a constant threat to the opposition. The dismissal of Crawley was a testament to his skill and determination, as he produced a brilliant yorker at the end of a long day.
The wicket of Crawley was crucial for India, as it provided a breakthrough after Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett had put on a 50-run opening partnership. It also meant England ended the day at 50/1, needing a further 324 runs to win the match. With two days remaining, the Test match is poised for an exciting finish.
