Gill’s Grit and Siraj’s Firepower Lead India to Epic Test Victory at The Oval

Siraj’s Five-Fer Seals Historic 6-Run Win as India Levels Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy
Gill’s Grit and Siraj’s Firepower Lead India to Epic Test Victory at The Oval

India eked out a stunning six run victory on Day 5 to level the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy series at 2–2

With England needing just 35 runs and four wickets in hand, the match hung in the balance. A fiery spell from Mohammed Siraj (5 for 104), including the final-ball yorker to dismiss Gus Atkinson, swung it back to India.

England’s lower order showed resolve, especially Chris Woakes, who heroically came out to bat with a dislocated shoulder in a sling, though he didn't face a ball.

His bravery, along with contributions from Jamie Smith and Overton, added to the drama—but they fell just short.

The match-ending scenes were emotional: India celebrated their narrowest-ever Test win, while England lamented a heartbreaking collapse from 339 for 6, needing still 35 runs up at stumps on Day 4.

Siraj finished as the series’ leading wicket taker with 23 wickets, carrying India’s pace attack through intense conditions.

Meanwhile, Indian captain Shubman Gill topped the series run charts with 754 runs at an average of 83.78, anchoring many crucial innings.

The game concluded in a fitting manner for one of the most intensely fought Test series in recent memory: India’s mental fortitude, Siraj’s decisive performance, and Woakes’ courage ensured this match will long be remembered as a classic.

Man of the Match: Shubman Gill (IND) – Named for his composed batting under intense pressure on Day 5 that set up India’s seismic 6-run win.

Player of the Series: Harry Brook (ENG) – Honoured despite England’s near-miss in the finale, after a richly productive series with the bat.

Horse’s race surprise winner 138th Kentucky Derby

Canadian-owned I’ll Have Another was the surprise winner of the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

I'll have another, purchased for $35,000 last year, proved to be worth infinitely more in staging a dramatic rally to overtake Bodemeister for a 1½-length victory Saturday in the 138th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Mexican jockey Mario Gutierrez, who plied his trade at Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse after moving north from Veracruz, guided the three-year-old colt owned by Paul Reddam of Windsor, Ont., to an official winning time of two minutes 1.83 seconds. 

The colt, named for owner J. Paul Reddam's typical response when his wife puts out cookies, will be toasted as the first 3-year-old to prevail after breaking from far outside in post 19 in a full field of 20.

Bodemeister, a 4-1 favourite who led for much of the race until being overtaken in the final stretch, finished second, while Dullahan was third in front of a Derby-record crowd of 165,307.

“He is so focused,” Gutierrez said earlier this week about I’ll Have Another, whose odds of winning were 15-1. “He loves to race. He’ll give you 100 per cent every time you ask him.”

Mario Gutierrez celebrates Stop I'll Have Another after winning the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby ahead of Bodemeister ridden by Mike Smith at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Gutierrez pulled off a stunning upset victory at the Santa Anita Derby near Los Angeles on April 7, earning his ticket to ride in the Kentucky Derby.

I'll Have another was masterfully ridden by Mario Gutierrez, 25, of Veracruz, Mexico. He was Canada's leading apprentice jockey before coming to the USA in 2005. He soon

"Perfect trip," winning rider John Velazquez said. "Everything worked out great. I asked her and she responded. She had a quick spurt when I had her out in the stretch and that was really nice."

Winning trainer Shug McGaughey said he "will enjoy stretching her out when the time comes. I'll see how she comes out of it."

Great Attack raced near the back of the pack early in the $125,000, Grade III Twin Spires Turf Sprint, found room between horses turning for home and was up on the outside to beat the favorite, Bridgetown, by 3/4 of a length.

Cactus Son finished third. Great Attack, a 5-year-old son of Greatness, covered the 5 furlongs on firm turf in 56.61 seconds under Joel Rosario. Great Attack finished fourth in last fall's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and most recently was sixth in the Grade III Shakertown at Keeneland.

"He's a very special sprinter," winning trainer Wesley Ward said. "I told Joel the instructions were to be 'a cool sitter and a go-getter,' and that's what he did, boy."

Ward said he has not yet picked out Great Attack's next race.

Swann thrilled 10-wicket No 1 ranking

Swann thrilled 10-wicket haul helped England retain No 1 ranking

England off spinner Graeme Swann has said he enjoyed playing a central role in their win against Sri Lanka in the second Test match at Colombo, during which he snapped 10 wickets.

England off spinner Graeme Swann has said he enjoyed playing a central role in their win against Sri Lanka in the second Test match at Colombo, during which he snapped 10 wickets.

Swann said he was thrilled to help England rescue their number one Test team rankings, and that the win would boost the morale of the team for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies and South Africa.

"I was absolutely thrilled to have played my part in helping England retain our status as the No 1 Test team in the world. To stay at the top is important, and will give us a big lift for the home series against West Indies and South Africa," Swann wrote in his column for The Sun.

Swann revealed he was under tremendous pressure to perform, as every one had kept their eyes on him to perform in Sri Lanka.

"There was a lot of pressure on me to deliver in the Second Test because I was the only spinner, although Samit Patel was there as back-up. When the ball turned a little on day one, everyone was looking to me to perform," Swann said,

"Thankfully, I was able to grab six wickets in the second innings and 10 in the match. To take a 10-for is a big thing. I've only managed it five times in my first-class career, and especially in such a big victory," he added.