When the rewards finally arrived at Edgbaston on Friday, Mohammed Siraj must have felt both elated and relieved.
Mohammed Siraj’s Journey: From ‘Bad Luck’ to Match-Winning Heroics
“‘Well bowled, bad luck’ is one of the worst compliments a bowler can receive. Every bowler dreams of taking wickets even when not at his best, rather than bowling well without reward. For a long time, Mohammed Siraj must have wondered how to escape this curse.
Since his debut in Melbourne in December 2020—shortly after losing his father and being unable to return home due to Covid restrictions—Mohammed Siraj has played with unmatched passion and commitment. Despite his heart and effort, the wickets and measurable success often eluded him, but Siraj never lost faith.
That changed at Edgbaston when, in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, the 31-year-old delivered a career-defining six-wicket haul, proving his mettle when the team needed it most. It was a moment of joy and relief, validating his perseverance.
Before this, his last five-wicket haul came at Newlands in January 2024, a stunning six for 15 that helped India dismantle South Africa for 55 and clinch victory. Siraj hopes his six for 70 at Edgbaston sparks a similar outcome.
Though often underrated, Mohammed Siraj career stats compare favorably to top bowlers like Mohammed Shami. His 30.71 average and strike rate of 52.4 balls per wicket are respectable. Yet, overshadowed by Bumrah’s brilliance during the Australia tour, Siraj’s consistent contributions sometimes went unnoticed. While Bumrah dominated headlines, Siraj quietly delivered, taking more overs and wickets than many, proving his vital role in India’s bowling attack.
Mohammed Siraj shuts his critics but the job is not done yet
Mohammed Siraj openly acknowledges he could have done more, often troubled by a lack of wickets. In Australia, Jasprit Bumrah helped ease his anxiety, urging him to focus on his process rather than outcomes, even as former teammates questioned his place. Though Siraj can now allow himself a small moment of pride, he knows there’s much work ahead in this Test and beyond.
Siraj might have seen echoes of his own challenges in teammate Prasidh Krishna’s tough day at Edgbaston. The Karnataka pacer leaked 50 runs in five overs during a flawed short-ball strategy against Jamie Smith. This tactic, directed by captain Shubman Gill with multiple fielders on the leg side, backfired on a slow, unresponsive pitch where the ball rarely rose above waist height. While Prasidh did bowl a few effective deliveries later, the earlier damage reinforced his reputation for leaking boundaries.
Prasidh defended his role, saying, “Somebody in the team had to do it. I can’t sit back and say, ‘I want to look at my numbers, what my economy is.’” He ended as the only frontline pacer without a wicket in the innings, while Siraj and Akash Deep shared all ten wickets. True to his character, Siraj likely reassured his teammate that his breakthrough moment will come—after all, the Hyderabadi is known for his fierce determination and “jigra.”
