Mohammed Siraj has made a mark in the County Championship Division One 2022 straightaway. On his debut for Warwickshire, Siraj bagged a fifer to help his side bundle out Somerset for 219 at Edgbaston, Birmingham, the same venue where India lost to England in the rescheduled Test.
Siraj had taken four wickets on Day 1 itself. He started off with the wicket of Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq. His next three victims of the day were George Bartlett, wicketkeeper-batter James Rew and Josh Davey.
On Day 2, Siraj got the major breakthrough as he broke the partnership between Lewis Gregory and Sajid Khan. Gregory scored 60 runs from 97 deliveries including four fours and as many sixes. Pakistan's spin all-rounder helped Somerset cross the 200-run mark with a 64-ball 53. Indian off-spinner Jayant Yadav took a wicket as well in the 14 overs he bowled.
Siraj bowled a total of 24 overs, most by a Warwickshire bowler. He bowled a total of six maiden overs and conceded 82 runs.
In his last appearance in red-ball cricket at Edgbaston, he took four wickets in the rescheduled Test. Siraj was impressive in the first innings as he took four wickets to help India restrict England for 284. However, he remained wicketless in the last innings as England chased down 378 and won the game by seven wickets.
Siraj did not just remain wicketless but was expensive as well. In 15 overs he bowled, Siraj conceded 98 runs from 15 overs at an economy rate of 6.53 runs per over. The 28-year-old turned out to be the most expensive bowler in the innings.
Recently, Siraj was a part of India's tour of Zimbabwe that included three ODIs. He took two wickets in two appearances against Zimbabwe. He is likely to be seen in action as India take on South Africa in the three-ODI series at home.
