Follow UsSince making his Test debut in 2020, Mohammed Siraj has often lived in the shadow of Jasprit Bumrah. While Bumrah is widely seen as a once-in-a-generation talent, Siraj has quietly gone about his work, becoming a dependable workhorse for India in red-ball cricket.
Bumrah has had to deal with injuries and workload management, but Siraj has been a constant presence, turning up and delivering in nearly every Test - something that former India offspinner R Ashwin believes deserves far more recognition.
Ahead of the five-match Test series in England, the focus was firmly on Bumrah's fitness and workload. The ace pacer had made it clear that he would only be available for three out of the five Tests and that’s exactly how things panned out. Interestingly, India failed to win any of the three Tests Bumrah played but secured victories in both matches he missed.
In comparison, Siraj featured in all five Tests and proved to be India’s tireless workhorse. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the series, picking up 23 wickets at an average of 32.43 and a strike rate of 48.3. On pitches that mostly favoured the batters, Siraj bowled more than 1100 deliveries (185.3 overs) - the most by any bowler across both teams. He capped off the series with a match-defining five-wicket haul at The Oval, helping India level the series.
“We failed to recognise Mohammed Siraj. The time has come to recognise him now. He once again put his hand up; he has given a compelling reason. Just look at his celebration, it seems as if he is saying, 'This is not the trailer. This is the main picture itself'. He is saying, ‘Please consider me as a match winner'. He is reminding us what a champion bowler he is. His bowling action, his technique and good work ethic are allowing him to play all five Tests in a series,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Siraj is now 31, and Ashwin has urged captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir to manage his workload wisely. “He is also growing old. It is important for the team management to rest him as well from inconsequential matches. He could be your No.1 Test bowler; he could be your go-to Test bowler. We have to rebuild the bowling attack. Akash Deep is there, Prasidh Krishna is there, Arshdeep Singh is there. Around Mohammed Siraj and his experience, we have to build it.”
Ashwin didn’t hold back in his praise for Siraj, adding: “Let's celebrate Siraj. He is the leading wicket-taker in the series. Dinesh Karthik interviewed him on Day 4, and then he interviewed him after the match had ended. He was his translator as well. But in the interview he had with Siraj, he was just asking questions in English. He knows all about him. In the T20 World Cup, Siraj said 'We believe in Jassi Bhai'. But today, not Jassi Bhai, Miyan Bhai was the real instrument to level this series. Without Jasprit Bumrah, we have drawn this series. Siraj has led the attack.
“Cricketing gods have been fair to Siraj. Despite getting it wrong at times, he never stops running in. It is very easy for someone playing all the Tests to say, 'I am tired. I am having pain'. He is always there on the field; he never goes outside. Cricketing gods recognise these things. Very well deserved. It is very hard to find players like Siraj. Players like Siraj don't come easily, especially from India. He is the first of his kind. Mohammed Siraj, for his pure attitude, is a once-in-a-generation cricketer.”