Mohammed Siraj Destroys England with 6 Wickets – Silences Critics in Bumrah’s Absence!

In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, the burden of leading India’s pace attack in the second Test against England fell on Mohammed Siraj — and he delivered in style. The Hyderabad-born pacer stunned the English side with a career-defining spell, taking 6 wickets for 70 runs on Day 3 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. This was Siraj’s fourth five-wicket haul in Tests and his second-best career figures, only behind his iconic 6/15 against South Africa in Cape Town in 2023.

At a time when questions were being raised about Siraj’s ability to support Bumrah, especially after the Australia series, the 31-year-old pacer has not only responded but dominated.

Silencing Critics with Grit and Discipline

Siraj had been under pressure, criticized for not consistently contributing as India’s second pacer. But with Bumrah missing the second Test due to injury, Siraj took on the mantle of pace spearhead, and silenced all doubts with a match-changing performance.

“I love responsibility, I love the challenge. It’s unbelievable because I was waiting for this moment for a long time,” said Siraj after the match.

With young pacers Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna partnering him in just their early games, Siraj knew he had to set the tone and lead from the front. He focused on consistency and pressure-building, not just sheer pace or variety.

Siraj on Leadership, Consistency, and Bowling Smart

What stood out in Siraj’s spell was not just the wickets, but the maturity in his bowling strategy. He revealed that the slow nature of the Edgbaston pitch demanded a more disciplined approach rather than flashy experimentation.

“The wicket was very slow, but my mindset was to keep it tight and not give away runs. I wanted to stick to the right areas and maintain pressure. I have been bowling well for a while but wasn’t getting big rewards, so this six-wicket haul means a lot,” Siraj told PTI.

This calm, process-oriented approach helped India bowl out England for 407 runs, earning a massive 180-run lead in the first innings.

Match Situation: India in Command

At stumps on Day 3, India reached 64/1 in their second innings, stretching their overall lead to 244 runs. KL Rahul (28) and Karun Nair (7) were unbeaten at the crease, setting India up for a strong total to defend in the fourth innings.

Thanks to Siraj’s heroics, the Shubman Gill-led Indian side is now in the driver’s seat and looking to push the lead past 400 — a total that would undoubtedly challenge England on a deteriorating pitch.

Looking Ahead: India’s Strategy for Day 4

Heading into Day 4, India will aim to bat deep and build an unassailable lead, giving their bowlers plenty of runs to defend. Given England’s strong batting depth and aggressive approach in recent years, India knows the importance of keeping the target out of reach.

But with Mohammed Siraj in red-hot form and the bowling unit confident, India will fancy their chances of going 2-0 up in the series.

Key Stats – Siraj at Edgbaston

Statistic	Performance
Performance	6/70
Overs Bowled	22.2
Economy Rate	3.13
Test 5-Wicket Hauls	4
Best Test Figures	6/15 vs South Africa (2023)

Also Known:
1. Watch: Shubman Gill Yells ‘Dekh Kya Raha Hai?’ at Akash Deep During Historic 269-Run Knock!
2. B de Villiers vs Gautam Gambhir: Heated Debate Over Bumrah’s England Series

This performance could mark a turning point in Mohammed Siraj Test career. By rising to the challenge and leading the attack effectively in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, Siraj has proven his mettle as a frontline pacer, not just a supporting act.

With more matches ahead and Jasprit Bumrah return uncertain, Mohammed Siraj leadership and rhythm could be the X-factor for India’s pace battery in the remainder of the series.

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