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Mohammad Siraj is a fierce competitor whose aggressive nature may at times raise questions, but his passion and love for the game is undeniable. The Indian pacer consistently gives more than 100 percent on the field, showing little concern for workload, while maintaining his pace and intensity throughout.
To no surprise that Siraj once again raised his hand when England got off to a good start in their second innings of the fifth Test at The Oval. After the opening pair of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett put on 50 runs for the first wicket, it was Siraj who provided the crucial breakthrough to India and dismissed the former on the final delivery of Day 3. This was Siraj's 19th scalp of the series and now he needs just one more wicket to break his tie with Josh Tongue and become the highest wicket-taker of the fivew-match assignment.
Siraj has been brilliant as India's frontline pacer
As expected, Siraj once again rose to the occasion and got a highly important wicket as the Men in Blue finished off the day on a positive note. The pacer bowled a ripping yorker to breach through the defence of Crawley. It is fair to say that his best performances in this series have come in the absence of India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Siraj took six wickets in the first innings of the second Test and clinched four scalps in the first innings of the Oval Test while Bumrah was resting on the sidelines.
Before the start of play on Day 3, former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik interviewed Siraj and pointed out how the latter has stepped up his bowling performances in the absence of Bumrah. He further asked Siraj about how he feels when Bumrah is not in the playing XI.
“Look at how India has played with Bumrah and without Bumrah. When Bumrah hasn't been there, you've stood up. Responsibility and the fact that you have delivered as a player. What changes? Is it because you get better overs, you get a chance to bowl at tailenders? Your numbers are better. But what is it you think when Bumrah is not around?" asked Karthik as he interviewed Siraj for Sky Cricket.
Answering the question, the 31-year-old said that he just loves responsibility, and he likes to stand up for the team.
“I think I love responsibility. I am missing Jassi bhai because he is a senior bowler. You always feel good when you are given the extra responsibility. I like it and I enjoy it. I don't take much pressure. I just like to follow my simple plans,” Siraj replied.
Notably, Siraj is one of only two pacers to have featured in every Test of the ongoing series, the other being Chris Woakes. However, the latter is unlikely to take any further part in the match after dislocating his shoulder while attempting to stop a boundary on the opening day of Oval Test.
Meanwhile, the fifth and final Test of the series looks set for a dramatic ending with India requiring nine wickets and England needing 324 runs more to emerge victorious. The hosts will seal the series if they win at The Oval while the series will end in a draw if the visitors manage to script a famous victory in London. It remains to be seen which side will come out on top in the much-anticipated fourth day of the final Test.
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