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India pacer Mohammed Siraj wears his heart on the sleeve. Siraj was at his aggressive best with the ball and calculative with the bat during the gritty 10th-wicket partnership with Ravindra Jadeja in the run chase of 193 against England at the Lord's. However, even after middling the ball, it rolled towards the leg stump and took off the bail to break Siraj's heart and million others and India lost by 22 runs. Siraj was in disbelief, heartbroken as he punched his bat, stayed at the crease for a while trying to come to terms with what had happened. A day after the loss in third Test of Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, Siraj took to social media and expressed his emotions.
"Some matches stay with you, not for the outcome, but for what they teach (hands folded emoji)," Siraj wrote.
Siraj's Gujarat Titans (GT) teammate, Afghanistan's Rashid Khan lauded Siraj for his intensity in the Lord's Test.
"Mia your energy and passion for the game is on top . Mashallah you are champion bowler and special player," Rashid commented on Siraj's post.
Siraj took two wickets in both innings of the Test. In the second innings, he shoulder-barged England opener Ben Duckett after taking his wicket which led to a 15 per cent match fees fine and one demerit point. In the run chase, he faced 30 deliveries to score four runs. The partnership between him and Ravindra Jadeja lasted for 80 balls. In the end, Shoaib Bashir took his wicket.
Siraj is currently the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing five-Test series. From three Tests, he has 13 wickets at an average of 32, including a six-wicket haul in Edgbaston Test. He has bowled 109 overs in the series so far, the most by an Indian bowler.
India need to cross Manchester hurdle
After the 22-run loss, India will take on England at The Old Trafford in the fourth Test, starting July 23. The last time India reached Manchester to play a Test, it was cancelled due to Covid-19 outbreak. India have played nine Tests at the venue, lost four whereas five ended in a draw. Like Edgbaston, India need to end their win drought in Manchester to stay alive in the series.
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