Mohammed Siraj may have produced the series of his life in England, but former India pacer RP Singh has sounded a note of caution. Singh believes the team must handle the workload of the 30-year-old speedster with the same care and precision as Jasprit Bumrah to ensure his longevity in international cricket.
India recently drew the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2, with Siraj emerging as the standout performer. He bowled 185.3 overs across the series the most by any bowler and claimed 23 wickets, including a match-defining five-wicket haul in the Oval decider.
His final ball of the series, a 143 kmph yorker that shattered Gus Atkinson’s stumps, was one of his fastest deliveries of the tour.
Speaking to PTI-Bhasha after India’s spectacular 2-2 draw in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Singh said: “Fast bowlers are at higher risk of injury when they play too many matches in a short time. Siraj’s workload should be managed just like we did with Bumrah.”
Siraj’s relentless effort has impressed observers, with Singh highlighting the bowler’s fitness and mental toughness.
“He was the only Indian bowler who played all five Tests and still maintained full energy throughout. That speaks volumes of his fitness and mental strength. He never lacked effort,” Singh said.
The former left-arm pacer also placed Siraj in the same bracket as India’s premier fast bowler.
“Siraj is in the same league as Bumrah now. To protect him from injuries, we need to seriously focus on his workload,” he added.
Singh further stressed the importance of bowling partnerships in Tests, comparing them to batting alliances.
“Just like batsmen need partnerships, so do bowlers. Bumrah and Siraj complement each other. When Bumrah isn’t around, Siraj becomes the leader automatically,” he said.
The series also marked the rise of Shubman Gill as captain, with RP Singh lauding his leadership and performance. Gill scored 754 runs in the series, a tally Singh called “outstanding,” setting the tone for India’s fightback in English conditions.
However, Singh also sympathised with players like KuldeepYadav and Arshdeep Singh, who did not feature in the series.
“The team focused on strengthening the batting with all-rounders. Kuldeep could’ve been effective on at least two or three wickets. But such calls happen. He’ll get more chances,” Singh explained.
The former pacer also supported the idea of fair and transparent injury substitutions. He praised Rishabh Pant and Chris Woakes for their grit in batting through injuries but suggested that medical decisions should be independent.
“There should be a neutral doctor or physio who can decide the injury status. Teams should be allowed replacements for players who are genuinely unfit,” Singh said.
With his remarkable exploits in England, Siraj has become India’s spearhead in overseas conditions. Yet, RP Singh’s warning is clear — without careful workload management, India risks losing its newest pace workhorse to burnout.
