'He is ready to be the leader of the bowling attack...': Ex-India coach's massive take on Mohammed Siraj after supoerb bowling display in England Tests

Former India head coach Greg Chappell claims that Mohammed Siraj is ready to lead the side's bowling attack in Test cricket with or without the presence of Jasprit Bumrah in the playing XI. This comes after Siraj's heroic five-wicket haul carried the Men in Blue to a stunning 6-run victory over England in the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

The 31-year-old Indian pacer recorded figures of 5/103 and even dismissed Gus Atkinson, the final wicket of England's innings as the visitors scripted a famous victory at The Oval, levelling the five-match series at 2-2. Additionally, Siraj also finished as the series' highest wicket-taker with a total of 23 scalps under his name in 9 innings.

Chappell believes that even though Siraj has previously given various sensational performances with the ball in the longest format, his spell at The Oval was by far the best of his career so far.

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"To be fair, he has turned in many fine performances before, at the MCG, the Gabba, Perth, Lord's, Cape Town and Birmingham, but what he did at The Oval was his true coming of age. With or without Bumrah, he is ready to be the spiritual as well as actual leader of Gill's attack," Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNcricinfo.

The Indian batters had an excellent England tour as they managed to score a total of 12 centuries in five Tests, completely dominating against the opposing bowlers. However, Chappell feels that Siraj was still the main reason why the Men in Blue remained competitive throughout the five-match assignment.

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"I don't think it is unfair to say that, despite the many wonderful batting efforts, Siraj was the main reason that India was competitive in the series. He bowled like a man possessed, but also a man who had learned the art of pacing himself, of understanding the moments that matter," Chappell wrote.

"What impressed me most wasn't the effort - which was immense - but the evolution. He started as a bowler with passion. He ended as a bowler with passion and purpose. That's the difference between a player and a leader," Chappell explained the bowler's gradual growth," he added.

India's next Test series will be against West Indies

Meanwhile, after his fantastic performance in the fifth Test, Siraj reached a career-high 15th place on the ICC Test bowler Rankings. The pacer will be looking to further improve his position in India's next Test assignment which will be a two-match series against West Indies and will commence from October 2.