“Mai bola abhi chup karane ka time aa chuka hai..”- Mohammed Siraj reflects on leadership role in England Test series
When the final ball of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 was delivered, one name that roared the loudest on social media was Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj. He showcased his true potential with the ball in the Test series, turning up in all five Test matches and bowling with all his heart.
His intensity didn’t drop despite bowling more than 1000 deliveries in the five-Test series. Given that Jasprit Bumrah was due to play only three Tests, India needed other bowlers to step up and take responsibility. And, it was Mohammed Siraj who came to the team’s rescue.
Both Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj played in the first Test, but India lost that game by five wickets. Siraj received a lot of flak for picking just two wickets in the entire Test match. However, he stepped up in the second Test. He picked a six-wicket haul and led the bowling unit admirably in the absence of Bumrah. India won that Test match by 336 runs.
Bumrah didn’t play the fifth Test as well, and Mohammed Siraj, once again, bowled outstandingly well when he was expected to lead the pace attack in Bumrah’s absence. Siraj bowled his heart out and instilled belief in Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna that they can win the Test. On the final day, India needed four wickets to win the Test, while England needed 35 runs more to seal the series.
Mohammed Siraj stole the show with superb bowling, helping India bundle England out for 367, thereby winning the Test by 6 runs. In a recent interaction with Rev Sportz, Mohammed Siraj shed light on how responsibility always brings the best out of him.
“Jab mujhe responsibility milti hai. Aap one-day series bhi dekhlo, jab mai senior bowler rehta hun, tab mera performance bhi improve hota hai. Jab responsibility aati hai, to mujhe alag maza aata hai. Vo mujhe boost karti hai, confidence deti hai. Mujhe tab perform karne me maza aata hai.”
Mohammed Siraj concluded the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with 23 wickets
India were on the back foot after Harry Brook’s superb hundred in the fifth Test, but Siraj kept believing and motivating his teammates that they could still win.
“Edgbaston me bola tha maine ki log mere baare me bohot zada bol rahe hain aur abhi chup karane ka time aa chuka hai. Jo bhi mere baare me log bolte hain, uska mujhe itna pressure feel nahi hota hai. Mujhe pata hai mai kitna struggle karke yahan pohoncha hun. Mai Akash Deep aur sabse bas yahi baat kar raha tha ki hum kar sakte hain. Main bas ek positive environment banane ki koshish kar raha tha ki hum kar sakte hain. Yahi cheez mai apni bowling unit me bol raha tha.” Siraj added.
Mohammed Siraj played all five Tests and ended the series as the highest wicket-taker. He picked 23 wickets in five Tests, including two five-wicket hauls.
