Mohammed Siraj, a Team India speed bowler, contradicted a reporter who claimed he had a poor performance during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series in Australia. During the post-series press conference following the Men in Blue’s historic six-run victory in the fifth Test, the bowler was questioned about his preparations, which resulted to a better performance in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar series.
Before commenting about his preparations, Siraj reminded the writer that he took 20 wickets in the five-match series, which is hardly a poor result.
He explained that bowling with Jasprit Bumrah and bowling as the captain of the bowling attack are two entirely different duties, as the objective is to be disciplined when bowling with the ace pacer.
“I took 20 wickets in BGT, sir. When Jassi bhai was bowling well, so my only job was to bowl in partnership as much as possible. I did want to try too much because if I would try hard, I could leak runs, and the pressure would build-up as well,” Siraj said during the post-match press conference (via Times of India)
Siraj was spot on with his performance in Australia, where he took exactly 20 wickets in a 1-3 loss. The right-arm bowler had also played all five matches on that occasion, picking up a number of three-wicket hauls and a four-wicket haul with the pink ball during the second Test at the Adelaide Oval. He finished the series with the fourth most wickets, and the second most for India, trailing only Jasprit Bumrah.
Mohammed Siraj also commended his English counterpart Chris Woakes for having the fortitude to step out to bat with a dislocated shoulder on Day 5 of The Oval Test.
“Hats off to Woakes for coming into bat with a broken shoulder, because many players would not have come to bat in such asituation. It shows the passion he has for cricket, and for England. My plan, had he been on strike, would have been to bowl at the stumps as much as possible, and finish off the game,” Siraj said.
The experienced English seamer suffered the injury on Day 1 while attempting to prevent a boundary and was immediately ruled out. However, the hosts required his bat during the run chase because the target was within touching distance and the rest of the players, with the exception of Gus Atkinson, had been removed.
Chris Woakes struggled to run between the wickets and support his batting partner, but he did his job. Atkinson did his utmost to keep strike so the injured player would not be exposed. As a result, Woakes was never at the striker’s end and finished unblemished with 0 from 0 deliveries.
“Describe the Emotions” – Siraj on DK’s Mic Moment After Oval Test Win
Mohammed Siraj put the last nail in the coffin when he dismissed Gus Atkinson in the 86th over, sparking wild celebrations on the field and in the dressing room. As the players were scooping up their stumps and ready for a lap of honor around The Oval, former wicketkeeper and broadcaster Siraj was chosen to film his reaction.
“Emotions were very high (after the last wicket), and just like that DK bhai came with his mic and started asking me in English to describe the emotions. What will I say at that time? I have worked hard from childhood till now for cricket, I have given everything to it, so I have a lot of love. Even when there is a breakup you feel sad, this is just like that,”
Dinesh Karthik also served as Siraj’s interpreter during the post-match awards ceremony.
The right-arm bowler appeared in all five matches of the series, bowling an impressive 185.3 overs in total. Jasprit Bumrah had the second greatest workload in terms of overs among Indian pacers, bowling 119.4 overs while taking a break in between. Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna, who each played three matches, bowled 109 and 105 overs.
“To be honest, body is fine right now. Almost 187 overs in the series, but you play for your country, you give everything, don’t think too much. Like you are bowling your sixth over of the spell or ninth over of the spell, I don’t care,” Siraj concluded.
The right-arm bowler also bowled the most overs for India in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series, totaling 157.1 overs in five matches.
