'England boys call him Mr...': Nasser Hussain reveals Mohammed Siraj's nickname in English dressing room, lauds him for making Shubman Gill not take new ball

Former England captain Nasser Hussain revealed that the English team has a special nickname for India’s pace sensation Mohammad Siraj, they call him “Mr. Angry.” The name comes from his fiery attitude on the field and his intense passion for the game.

The 31-year-old put on an exceptional performance at the Oval, picking up a total of nine wickets to help India clinch a thrilling victory by just six runs, their narrowest-ever win in terms of runs in Test cricket. His standout performance came in England’s second innings, where he delivered a brilliant five-wicket haul to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2

“He’s fiery, the England boys call him Mr. Angry, and he has the longest follow-through in the history of the game, but he demands your attention," Hussain wrote in his column for The Daily Mail. “You could do a montage of the histrionics – down on his knees in despair at Lord’s, the celebrations and dejection when DRS decisions go one way or another.

“He’s a born entertainer, but crucially he’s got all the other attributes you need at the highest level: heart, passion, and ultimately skill. He’s gone from being a hit-the-deck bowler using wobble seam to trap people LBW – as he did with Joe Root – to one who has developed outswing so big that Shubman Gill wasn’t interested in taking the second new ball.”

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Yet, the series was not without its bitter-sweet moments for Siraj. When Harry Brook was batting on 19, Siraj seemed to have him caught near the ropes, but he accidentally stepped on the boundary cushion, turning a potential wicket into a six. Hussain lauded Siraj for holding on to his nerves and execute the perfection yorker to knock over Atkinson.

“Then, there is the fabulous yorker, such as the one to Crawley late on day three. He went to it again just before midday, knowing that Gus Atkinson was trying to hit him over midwicket for a second six that would have tied the game, nailing it under the most immense pressure. If Siraj gets it wrong, India lose the series, so it was perfect execution from a champion cricketer that has unfairly courted controversy over the past month," the former England captain added.

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Earlier in a press conference post Day 4’s play, England’s senior batter Joe Root had said that Siraj is actually a really nice lad, but he fakes his anger at times on the field, that he can see straight through. He had praised the 31-year-old for his passion and commitment as well.

"I will miss it" – Hussain on India-England series

Hussain said that he will miss the Test series. He weighed in on the debate around Test cricket being relevant as well.

“Now it’s finished, I will miss it. So incredible has it been that it makes you wonder why this format is ever questioned? If you landed someone 30 days ago and took them around this country’s Test match venues, asking them: Is this thing we call Test cricket working? They’d look at you funny. It’s so bloody good," Hussain said.

The Indian team will now shift its focus to the T20 Asia Cup, scheduled to begin on September 9 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, England will face South Africa at home in limited overs series at home starting September 2.