'When the team is under pressure...': Ex-Australia captain hails Mohammed Siraj for heroic bowling display in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke was left quite impressed with Mohammed Siraj's fantastic performance in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The India pacer took a total of 23 wickets in the five-match series against England and carried the side's bowling attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

Siraj was the hero for India in 5th Test

Moreover, Siraj was also India's top performer in the final match of the series where the visitors recorded a thrilling 6-run victory at the Oval. The 31-year-old recorded figures of 5/103 in the final innings, playing a key role in bundling out the hosts for 367 while chasing the target of 374.

Clarke remarked that Siraj stepped up his game big time when India were under pressure and also lavished praise on the pacer's mindset and attitude.

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“India bowling again, Krishna, Siraj. Wow! I feel like every time Bumrah is not around, Siraj has this – ‘I’ve got to stand up’ mindset and attitude. He wants the ball when the team is under pressure. I feel like he’s a better bowler when there is more expectation and pressure put on his shoulders. I think he really enjoys that role in the team. Fifer in the second innings, just to keep it going,” Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket podcast.

Clarke also pointed out that the two matches that India won in the series were the games where Bumrah was rested and credited the bowling attack for taking the responsibility of taking the big wickets in the absence of the 'best bowler in the world.'

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“To win the last match and level the series. Wow! Phenomenal, absolutely brilliant. And the other thing as well. In the two Test matches that India won, the best bowler in the world didn’t play in Bumrah. Bumrah didn’t play the two Test matches that India won. So, to the other bowlers in the Indian squad, they deserve a lot of credit to be able to step up. And I do believe, and I don’t think anybody would say differently, any team with Bumrah in it is a better team. But to be able to win those two matches without him, that bowling attack deserves a lot of credit,” Clarke stated.

Meanwhile, Siraj will be looking to continue his fine form in red-ball cricket in the two-match home series against the West Indies which is set to commence from October 2. With the Men in Blue currently sitting third on the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, the upcoming home assignment will be a good opportunity for them to make more gains on the standings.