Mohammed Siraj narrates a heartwarming exchange with Jasprit Bumrah
India's frontline pace attacker, Jasprit Bumrah, has wrapped up his England tour. Following the originally devised workload management plan, Bumrah played three out of the five India vs England Tests. As action kicked off in the Oval Test, the fifth and final game of the series, Bumrah's absence was confirmed. Moreover, it was later revealed that the pace spearhead had been released from the squad as well, with no compulsion to stay back in England. However, Bumrah was spotted at the Oval as Team India tore through the English lineup on Day 2 of the match. Now, Mohammed Siraj, leading India's attack in Bumrah's absence, has shared a warm anecdote about Bumrah’s presence at the venue.
Mohammed Siraj asked Jasprit Bumrah to stay back for the final India vs England Test at the Oval
The visitors scripted an impressive turnaround on Day 2 of the final India vs England Test, clawing their way back after a shaky start in the overcast conditions at the Oval. Put to bat first, the team was bowled out for 224 after a gritty fight from Karun Nair helped India cross the 200-run mark. In response, English openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley tore into the Indian bowling attack with a blistering 92-run partnership in just 12.5 overs.
The breakthrough finally came when Akash Deep dismissed Ben Duckett and gave a fiery send-off to the opener. That moment sparked a surge in intensity, and what followed was a charged session brimming with aggression and purpose. Prasidh Krishna fed into the tension with his heated exchange with Joe Root. With England visibly unsettled, their early momentum quickly unraveled. From a dominant 129/1, the hosts crumbled under pressure and were bundled out for 247.
Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna led India’s resurgence with the ball, claiming four wickets each. Prasidh struck the first blow by removing Crawley, while Siraj wreaked havoc through the middle order, dismissing Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Harry Brook, the batters who had been in red-hot form leading into the series decider.
Siraj not only led the bowling charge in terms of performance but also stood as the senior-most pacer in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. The Indian spearhead was rested as part of workload management, and the BCCI confirmed on Friday that Bumrah had been officially released from the squad. After the day’s play, Siraj lightened the mood by sharing a fun incident from a recent conversation with Bumrah.
“I asked Jassi bhai, 'Why are you going? Who will I hug when I take five wickets?' He said, 'I'm here, you take your five wickets!'” Siraj told at the end of day's play at the Oval.
Siraj has displayed an interesting pattern of performing remarkably better when Bumrah is absent from the attack. However, the surge in Siraj's impact in Bumrah's absence stands in stark contrast to the bond that the Indian pacers share. The camaraderie between Siraj and Bumrah is well-known, with Siraj often expressing his respect and admiration for Bumrah. On multiple occasions, he has credited the senior pacer as both a mentor and a standard-setter for India’s fast-bowling unit.
