Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj shines in absence of Bumrah: India vs England, 2nd Test highlight

Mohammed Siraj produced a sensational bowling display, claiming 6 wickets for 70 runs, to hand India a commanding first-innings lead of 244 runs heading into Day 4. His effort, which dismantled England for 407 after a spirited middle-order fightback, has put India in pole position to push for victory. England is leading with 1 win in first Test.

Siraj strikes at crucial junctures

After India’s imposing first-innings total of 587, England’s reply got off to a disastrous start at 47/4, courtesy of incisive spells from Siraj and debutant Akash Deep. Siraj’s fiery burst saw him dismiss both Joe Root and Ben Stokes in successive deliveries, leaving England reeling at 84/5.

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Later, as England’s counterattack gathered momentum through Jamie Smith and Harry Brook, Siraj returned with the second new ball and polished off the tail with relentless accuracy. He finished with figures of 6/70, his best in overseas Tests.

With Jasprit Bumrah rested for this match, Siraj assumed leadership of the pace attack and rose to the occasion. The 31-year-old pacer has impressed all by leading from the front.

“I love responsibility, I love the challenge. It’s unbelievable because I was waiting for a long time. I have been bowling well but not getting wickets. I have only got four-wicket hauls here, so getting six here is very special. It’s Akash Deep’s third or fourth match, same for Prasidh, so I was just focused on staying consistent and building pressure. I feel like trying different things, but I have to stay consistent,” Siraj was quoted as saying by PTI.

The pacer revealed how he curbed the urge to try too many things and just focussed to bowl in the right areas. “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,” he added.

It was Siraj’s second-best figures of his Test career after 6/15 against South Africa in Cape Town 2023.

Though struggling to put up a valiant fight, England’s middle order put up a fight back.

Best bowling figures by Indian pacers in England

  • Ishant Sharma – 7/74
  • Ladhabhai Nakum Amar Singh – 6/35
  • Chetan Sharma – 6/58
  • Mohammed Siraj – 6/70
  • Bhuvneshwar Kumar- 6/82

Commenting on the match, Sachin Tendulkar wrote on social media: The biggest change I’ve noticed in Mohammed Siraj has been his accuracy and consistency in landing the ball in the right areas. His persistence has been rewarded with 6 wickets. Very ably supported by Akash Deep as well. Well done! Special partnership between Brook and Smith who were under pressure and counterattacked beautifully to bring England much closer to India’s total than one would’ve expected.”

England’s counterattack: Smith and Brook shine

England’s middle order, however, showed remarkable fight through Jamie Smith and Harry Brook, who stitched together a record-breaking sixth-wicket stand of 303 runs. Smith smashed an unbeaten 184 off just 167 balls among the fastest centuries by an English player in Tests while Brook contributed a fluent 158.

Their counter-punching partnership temporarily swung momentum towards England, embodying the aggressive Bazball ethos. But once Siraj broke through Brook’s defenses and cleaned up the tail, India regained full control.

Match Situation: India in driver’s seat

Till the filing of this report on Day 4, India were 142/3 in their second innings, extending their overall lead to 326 runs with seven wickets in hand. Shubam Gill (19*) and Raishab Pant (15*) were playing on Day 4, aiming to push the lead beyond 350.

India closed Day 3 of the ongoing Test at Edgbaston in a commanding position, thanks to a career-best spell from Mohammed Siraj and a solid platform laid by Shubman Gill earlier in the match. England, despite flashes of resistance from Smith and Brook, find themselves facing an uphill battle heading into Day 4.

Gill’s marathon knock sets the tone

On Days 1 and 2, India’s batting was anchored by a sublime innings from Shubman Gill, who scored a marathon 269. His knock not only blunted England’s early aggression but also set up a substantial first-innings total. Gill’s temperament and shot selection stood out as he kept the scoreboard ticking while holding one end firm.

In reply, England rode on a remarkable 303-run stand between Smith and Brook for the sixth wicket, the highest ever for that wicket against India, which briefly threatened to wrest momentum back. But once the duo was separated, England collapsed spectacularly, losing six wickets for just 54 runs.

Mohammed Siraj was the architect of that collapse, claiming 6/70, his best figures in overseas Tests and the best by an Indian at Edgbaston since Kapil Dev in 1986. He was ably supported by Akash Deep, who chipped in with 4/88, ensuring England were bowled out for 407, handing India a crucial 180-run lead, the largest ever by India at this venue in Tests.

Strategic outlook: Day 4 could decide it all

Day 4 promises to be pivotal in deciding the course of the match.

•           India’s plan: Bat for another session, stretch the lead beyond 350–400, and then unleash their spinners and reverse-swinging pacers on a deteriorating pitch showing uneven bounce and turn.

•           England’s hopes: Strike early in the morning to keep India under 300 ahead, and then mount a bold chase in the fourth innings.

While the Edgbaston pitch has flattened somewhat, the cracks and inconsistent bounce are expected to make batting increasingly challenging on Day 4 and 5.

Key stats & milestones

•           Mohammed Siraj’s 6/70: Best overseas figures of his career, and the best by an Indian at Edgbaston in 39 years.

•           Smith–Brook partnership: Their 303-run stand is now England’s highest for the sixth wicket against India.

•           India’s first-innings lead of 180: The biggest by India in any Edgbaston Test against England.

Conclusion

Mohammed Siraj’s relentless pace and precision reaffirmed his growing stature as India’s pace spearhead, dismantling England’s lower order under pressure and putting India in firm control. England, meanwhile, will need a herculean effort to stay alive in the match. All eyes now turn to Edgbaston as India look to press home their advantage and make it 1–1 in the series with England already winning the first Test.

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