Mohammed Siraj has stepped up to lead the Indian pace attack in the second Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. The 31-year-old showcased his experience and skill, claiming six wickets in the first innings and helping India gain a significant advantage.
Siraj acknowledged the responsibility he felt leading the attack, especially with a relatively inexperienced pace unit including Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna. "Akash Deep is playing just his 3rd or 4th Test match. The same is the case with Prasidh Krishna. I have played 38 Tests. My only aim was to deliver and bowl consistent line and lengths," Siraj stated. He emphasized his focus on consistency and building pressure, aiming to keep things tight and avoid leaking runs.
On the third day of the test, Siraj made an immediate impact by dismissing key English batsmen Joe Root and Ben Stokes in quick succession. Despite a strong counter-attack from Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, who put on a remarkable 303-run partnership, Siraj remained composed and disciplined. He eventually returned to dismantle England's tail, finishing with impressive figures of 6/70. This performance marked his best-ever figures in a Test match in England.
"It's unbelievable because I was waiting for a long time. I have been bowling well but not getting wickets," Siraj said, reflecting on his six-wicket haul. He added, "I have only got four-wicket hauls here, so getting six here is very special". He further explained his approach on a slow wicket, stating, "The wicket was very slow but when you are given a responsibility to lead the attack, my aim was to not try too much and just bowl in the right areas and bowl with discipline. My mindset was to keep it tight and not give away runs".
Siraj's ability to perform under pressure has been lauded, with many noting his impressive record when playing without Bumrah. When asked about it, Siraj said, "I love responsibility, I love the challenge,". He further elaborated on his mindset, "Because I have seen a lot of challenges in life. And I have come from there. So, I like challenges. And when responsibility comes to me, then I take that thing...".
Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun had previously highlighted Siraj's potential to lead the pace attack, noting his experience and skill set. Arun recalled Siraj's exceptional spells in the past, including his performance at Lord's in 2021, and emphasized the importance of mindset. "It's time for Siraj to put his hand up and say, 'I'm going to be the frontline bowler of our country'. He's got the skill set. It's now what kind of mindset he has that is going to be vital," Arun stated.
Siraj's performance at Edgbaston has not only given India a crucial lead but has also demonstrated the depth and resilience of their pace attack. His ability to step up in Bumrah's absence has eased concerns about over-reliance on the star bowler and showcased Siraj's readiness to embrace the leadership role. With India currently in a strong position in the Test match, Siraj emphasized the importance of setting a big target, acknowledging England's attacking mindset. "We are quite ahead right now but the plan is to get as many runs on the board because we know their attacking mindset," he said.
