When the Indian pace attack gets spoken about, it’s Jasprit Bumrah who bags all the adulation. Quite fairly too, given his consistency, particularly in Test cricket. However, one should also remember workhorse Mohammed Siraj, who has quickly established himself as a core member of the Indian pace bowling group since his Test debut in Australia in December 2020. Mohammed Siraj with his lethal pace suddenly raised India’s hopes of unlikely win at Lord’s .
An automatic choice for India, especially in Tests outside Asia, the tireless Mohammed Siraj already proved himself on a flat deck in Birmingham with his first-innings haul of six wickets. Day 3 of the third Test between India and England at Lord’s ended with such drama that it would’ve been a bit of a surprise if it had no effect on at least the early proceedings of the fourth day. And that was pretty much the case on Sunday and, quite expectantly, it is symbolised by a wicket celebration by Mohammed Siraj.
On the penultimate morning of the ongoing third Test at Lord’s, with the pitch having a fair amount of purchase for the bowlers, the tenacious Mohammed Siraj once again exhibited his skills. This time, he cashed in on the pressure created by Bumrah.
Mohammed Siraj’s two wickets set the tone for the day for India. First, he got Ben Duckett, with the English opener playing a poor shot. That wicket worked as a catalyst in charging up the aggressive Mohammed Siraj, and that’s when the 31-year-old pacer is at his best.Ollie Pope, a nervous starter in the first place, looked far from assured during his stay out there in the middle.
Mohammed Siraj set him up with a few outside the off-stump and then suddenly jagged one back to trap Pope LBW, after convincing captain Shubman Gill to go for a review. Mohammed Siraj could have dismissed Joe Root too, but the Umpire’s Call denied the pacer his third of the innings.
Those two wickets from Mohammed Siraj (2/31) formed the backbone of India’s impressive bowling display on Sunday. Following his heroics, Mohammed Siraj earned a right praise from Kevin Pietersen who has lauded the Indian pacer for his relentless dedication at work of play.
Kevin Pietersen is in all applause for Mohammed Siraj for his heroics on Day 4 at Lord’s Test
Former England superstar Kevin Pietersen labeled Mohammed Siraj a ‘captain’s dream’ after his performance at Lord’s in the third India-England Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Pietersen said that apart from wearing ‘his heart on his sleeve’, Siraj gives ‘everything he has’ on every ball for the team.
Mohammed Siraj picked up two wickets in the first innings, both crucial ones of half-centurians Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse. He was even more fired up in the second and led India’s charge at the start of the emotionally-charged Day 4, taking the huge scalps of Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope as the hosts were bowled out for 192.
“I really like and have liked Siraj for a while as a cricketer. Wears his heart on his sleeve and gives absolutely everything he has to every delivery he bowls. A captains dream!” Pietersen wrote on X.
Mohammed Siraj has always been someone who, a bit like his first captain Virat Kohli, looks and almost chases a bit of sledging and needle to fire himself up. It always brings the best out of him.
Zak Crawley’s attempt to waste some time before Stumps on Day 3 to avoid playing more than one over did that for him in this match. As Shubman Gill engaged in finger-pointing, provocation and chest-thumping against Crawley and Duckett, Siraj was leading the charge with the verbal banter while fielding.
When he got Duckett out on Saturday, he went and stood in front of him, almost shouting at his face and tgen barging shoulders with him. The umpires were seen having a word with him over that and he has definitely risked an ICC reprimand, if the physical contact is deemed deliberate from the pacer.
That wasn’t it for his interactions with the umpires. Occasionally, some even spotted him staring down the umpires when a couple of decisions didn’t go India’s way. The right-arm pacer has picked up form after being under fire in the aftermath of the first Test at Headingley. But now, he’d aim to combine that while also being in the umpires’ good books.
India are 58 for 4 at the end of Day 4 and poised for an intruiging finish needing 135 runs more to taste victory at Lords in pursuit of 192 runs target set by England which makes Day 5 at Lords a must delightful watch.
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