Mohammed Siraj’s Six-Fer Sparks New Chapter: Time to Believe in ‘Jassi Bhai and Myself’

As the sun set on the third day of the gripping Test at Edgbaston, Mohammed Siraj walked off the field with the ball in hand and a beaming smile on his face.

He had just completed a career-best six-wicket haul, a performance that not only put India back in the contest but also served as a powerful reminder of his growing stature in Indian cricket.

Just as Siraj began a post-day interview, teammate Arshdeep Singh playfully interjected, saying, “Now the dialogue has to change to ‘I believe in Jassi Bhai and myself.’”

 

That one sentence, though delivered in jest, carried a deeper significance. It symbolised the rising belief — within the team and beyond — that Mohammed Siraj deserves to be spoken of in the same breath as Jasprit Bumrah, India’s undisputed pace spearhead.

For far too long, Siraj has played the role of the unsung hero — toiling in silence, delivering under pressure, yet often remaining overshadowed by his more celebrated peers.

A Standout Spell on a Flat Deck

At Edgbaston, on a track that offered little to the bowlers and encouraged stroke-making, England batters Harry Brook and Jamie Smith had made the Indian attack appear ineffective.

The Indian bowlers looked flat, and the game was slipping away. Yet, in the middle of adversity, it was Siraj who stood tall, turning the tide with both skill and sheer willpower.

He had already dismissed Zak Crawley late on Day Two, but it was his twin strike early on the third morning that truly rattled England.

He removed Joe Root—one of the modern greats—and Ben Stokes, the current captain, off consecutive deliveries. This pivotal moment broke England’s rhythm and gave India the lifeline they so desperately needed.

With the second new ball, Siraj returned to sweep through the English lower order, taking four more wickets to finish with outstanding figures of 6 for 70 in 19.2 overs—his best in Test cricket to date.

Akash Deep, the young debutant, claimed the remaining four wickets, and what followed was another moment of note: Siraj deliberately bowled outside the off stump to allow Akash an opportunity to complete a maiden five-wicket haul.

This unselfish gesture epitomised Siraj’s team-first approach, and spoke volumes about his character.

The Workhorse Who Never Asks for Rest

While Jasprit Bumrah rightfully commands the headlines for his brilliance across formats, Siraj has been the relentless engine of India’s pace attack.

In an era of workload management, where rest is often prioritized for fast bowlers, Siraj remains ever-ready. There are no murmurs about his match fitness, no skipped series, and no reduced spells.

Whether it’s slogging through dead rubber overs or leading the attack in tough foreign conditions, Siraj puts his hand up—every single time.

 

He has often faced criticism for inconsistency—his tendency to vary lengths, or go off rhythm in patches. But these are minor fluctuations in a journey that has largely been marked by grit, growth, and performance under pressure.

At 31 years of age, Siraj already boasts four five-wicket hauls in Tests, two of which are six-wicket spells. But perhaps his most telling achievement isn’t in isolated figures — it’s in his unmatched workload.

Since 2022, no Indian fast bowler has bowled more overs across formats than Siraj. In essence, he has been India’s ironman — holding the fort while others rotate in and out.

A New Chapter in India’s Pace Legacy

Indian cricket has been fortunate in recent years to witness the rise of fast bowlers like Bumrah, Shami, and Ishant Sharma. But if the team is now looking for leadership, durability, and a shoulder that can carry the load without asking for applause, it is time to shift more focus toward Mohammed Siraj.

 

His performance at Edgbaston was not just about numbers — it was about resilience, timing, and an unshakable commitment to the team’s cause.

He broke through when the team needed him most. He stepped back when a younger bowler had a chance to shine. And he carried himself with the same humility and hunger that has defined his journey from Hyderabad’s lanes to the top of international cricket.

More Than a Supporting Act

Too often, the conversation about India’s pace arsenal starts and ends with Bumrah. But Siraj has made it clear — through both his words and his bowling — that he is no longer content playing second fiddle.

And neither should he be. His evolution from a raw, energetic bowler into a mature, battle-hardened match-winner is one of the most compelling stories in Indian cricket today.

 

So the next time India takes the field in a high-pressure Test, and fans begin chanting for “Boom Boom Bumrah,” don’t be surprised if another chant emerges alongside it — one for Mohammed Siraj, the silent soldier, the unbreakable workhorse, and now, a proven match-winner.

Because the dialogue really has changed.
It’s now about “Jassi Bhai… and Siraj.”

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