Resilient Siraj Shines in England, Proves His Match-Winning Mettle

As of 2025-08-05, Mohammed Siraj has firmly established himself as a key member of the Indian Test team, no longer living in the shadow of Jasprit Bumrah. Just over a year ago, Siraj had declared his unwavering faith in Bumrah after India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. However, the right-arm pacer from Hyderabad has now carved a new catchphrase among Indian fans - "I only believe in Miyan bhai".

Siraj's performances during India's recent tour of England have been a testament to his talent, perseverance and self-belief. In the 5-Test series, he claimed 23 wickets at an average of 32.43, playing a crucial role in India's series victory. This comes after a below-par outing in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he still managed to pick up 20 wickets.

What stood out in Siraj's display in England was his ability to overcome setbacks. He was left heartbroken after being bowled at Lord's despite defending a delivery from an injured Shoaib Bashir. On Day 4 of the final Test at The Oval, Siraj also made a costly error by stepping on the boundary cushions after taking a catch, allowing Harry Brook to go on and score a match-changing hundred. However, Siraj bounced back from these disappointments to lead the Indian bowling attack in Bumrah's absence and deliver match-winning performances.

Siraj's "I want to win at all costs" attitude defined his heroics in England. His relentless effort, bowling 185.3 overs (1,113 balls) across the 5 Tests, has earned him widespread praise and respect from both fans and experts. With Bumrah's fitness issues and the team's cautious approach in managing his workload, Siraj has emerged as a vital cog in India's Test bowling lineup, ready to shoulder the responsibility and deliver match-winning spells.