The heart, heat and craft that make Mohammed Siraj, India’s marathon man in the England series

The pace spearhead and the world’s best new-ball bowler Jasprit Bumrah had sat out of this Test. The BCCI, this morning, informed that he was released from the squad. But there was Siraj around, bowling his heart out, to ensure that his senior wasn’t missed.

In an inspired spell around mid-day, he cherrypicked England’s two most solid batsmen and put them on his plate. The wickets of Ollie Pope (22) and Joe Root (29)— the two seasoned hands with a reputation of being game-changers in low-scoring games—went a long way in restricting England.

When Root was around, England were within touching distance of the Indian score. At 175/4, India’s 224 didn’t look too far. Siraj ensured it was, England finished at 247, getting a 23-run lead. Prasidh Krishna put on a commendable shift too, registering his best figures (4/62) under intense scrutiny.

This was followed by a bizarre phase of play. India batted for 18 overs and scored 75/2 runs, mustering a lead of 52 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal (unbeaten 51) was dropped twice and Sai Sudharsan (11) once. No such favour was extended to KL Rahul, who was caught in slips (7).

Recurring themes

There have been a couple of recurring themes from this Test series. Whenever a team seems to be running away with the game, it gets religiously dragged back. However big a star was, the Indian team hasn’t missed them. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and now Bumrah. On a day of 16 wickets, the pendulum keeps swinging either side but keeps coming back to the state of equilibrium and new leaders keep emerging.

After the Indians had finally seen the backs of the two England openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley – their ‘hit some, miss some’ ending in around 20 overs – England were again regrouping.

Siraj speaks with skipper Shubman Gill during Day 2 of the fifth IND vs ENG Test at the Oval. (AP)

On the lively pitch, Duckett and Crawley would have known that they don’t have the patience or skills to last long. But Pope and Root were equipped to play for long, bat India out of the game. Enter Siraj who pushed England’s top two out off their perch and dragged India back in the game. He didn’t have a fiver to his name but his 4/86 would get ranked among his best.

Siraj is a bowler that is difficult to straight-jacket. Is he a seam or swing bowler? His big wicket-taking ball is the nip-backer that got him the wickets of Pope and Root. But his other two wickets on the day— Jacob Bethell and Brook—were because of that big banana swing he is blessed with.

The swinging yorker that got all-rounder Bethell, the dangerous floater with reputed T20 credentials and Bazball bravado, could well go down as the ‘ball of the match’. It might not have the speed of a Waqar Younis special that damages the toe but it has the late tailing movement that does the same.

The sting of a real yorker can be measured by how far the bat is from the ball when it hits the pad. In Bethell’s case it was quite far. It was a clear indicator that the ball had moved in too sharply and deviously late.

Siraj dismissed Brook too with a swinging ball that hit the bottom part of the bat and stung the stumps. His final wicket came late but it was his second session spell that turned the game one more time in this topsy-turvy series.

Siraj had a nightmarish first spell. Openers Duckett and Crawley were slamming and slapping his balls for four and even scooping for a six. He went for 31 runs in four overs. It was Duckett’s scoop six that made Shubman take him off the attack. Siraj returned to bowl once the openers had returned to the pavilion.

Never say die

In the first spell, he didn’t seem to have any rhythm. But there is something enduring about Siraj’s attitude. Even on his worst days, he doesn’t give up. The 20 overs, fielding on the fence, something stirred in Siraj. His big spell was about those ‘effort balls’. There are subtle signs that a deadly punch is on the way. Siraj’s stride has extra bounce and there is more ‘shoulder’ in the ball. This makes the ball dart in menacingly.

Thumbs up to the current 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙧 of the #ENGvIND series 🔥#WTC27 📝: https://t.co/SNl4Ym0dTV pic.twitter.com/XwJu29ZaVF

— ICC (@ICC) August 1, 2025

A sting of a real nip-backer can be measured by position of the beaten batsman on the crease and where at what point the ball hits the pad. Pope couldn’t decide if he had to be on the front-foot or stay back. He was caught in the crease as the ball sneaked in between the bat and front pad to hit the back one. The captain was lbw and Siraj was celebrating. Root too could get caught in the ‘no man’s land’ and he was out lbw. Siraj had justified the role of the pace spearhead and fulfilled the responsibility he was burdened with.

It is something he loves. Statistics show whenever Bumrah has not played, Siraj has emerged as a better and more successful bowler. At a recent press conference, he was reminded about this statistic and he said: “Jab mujhe responsibility milta hai, muje proud feel hota ha. Mai apni country ke liye responsibility le raha hu. (When I get responsibility, I feel proud that I am taking responsibility for my country).”

“In that case, you wish he doesn’t play?” – joked a reporter. Siraj smiled and said, “No, no Jassi bhai hone se bahut acha hota (No, no it’s great to have Jassi bhai).” So again is Siraj a seam or swing bowler? He is a bowler with a sturdy heart and robust shoulder.