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ICC’s elite umpire and former Sri Lanka cricketer Kumar Dharmasena on August 12 posted a special message for Mohammed Siraj more than a week after the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 came to end. Dharmasena lauded Siraj for the yorker that got rid of England’s pace-bowling all-rounder Gus Atkinson to lead India to a six-run win on Day 5 of fifth Test at The Oval, London.
“So lucky to witness this ball from the best seat in the house,” wrote Dharmasena in a post on his Instagram.
Siraj has been praised by many for his never given up attitude. When Joe Root and Harry Brook were batting, England were dominating the proceedings on Day 4. But with a fall of few wickets, the visitors made a comeback. On Day 5, India needed four wickets to win the Test with 35 runs to defend. Siraj swung the ball well and got the wickets of Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton and Atkinson.
Siraj was adjudged ‘Player of the match’ for the five-wicket haul in the final innings. He finished as the highest wicket-taker of the series. He claimed 23 wickets including two five-wicket hauls.
Former England captain in awe of Siraj
Siraj, recently earned praise from former England captain David Gower as well. He wants England bowlers to have the same diet as Siraj to stay fit and avoid injuries.
"I would love to know what he takes, what he eats and what he drinks because I want to give all that to England's bowlers. For Siraj, one of the things that struck me was he has played all five Tests and was unstinting. Yet, he bowled more than 30 overs in that England second innings (Oval) because seamers had to bowl in those conditions. And he never gave up. He never stopped and never seemed to wilt," Gower told The Free Press Journal.
"That's an extraordinary testament to his determination to win and fitness. The thing that struck me was England's bowling has had problems over the last few years in keeping people fit and on the field. So, you rarely get the same attack coming out game after game and yet, here was a man who played all five Test matches, finished bowling 30 overs in the final innings of the series and loved it," he added.
Siraj’s next Test appearance
Meanwhile, it is not clear whether Siraj will be picked in the squad for T20 Asia Cup 2025. If not, his next Test appearance will be at home soil when they take on West Indies in the two-Test series in October.
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