India speedster Mohammed Siraj's admiration for pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is well known, and after the team's six-run win in the fifth Test match against England, he said that he missed the legendary speedster in the hour of glory following India's victory in the fifth Test against England
Siraj picked up a five-wicket haul in the second innings in the fifth Test at The Oval as India registered a six-run win against England to draw the series 2-2. Siraj was awarded Player of the Match for his performance in the last Test match for picking a nine-wicket haul.
"Every batsman, every bowler (who played the Test), hat's off to him... and the way we came back, crazy man. I miss Jassi (Bumrah) bhai because had he been there, it would have been special. I believe in Jassi bhai and myself," said an emotional Siraj in a video posted by BCCI.
Bumrah missed the fifth Test match to manage his workload and was subsequently released from the Indian squad after playing the fourth game.
Siraj was seen disappointed on Day 4 of the fifth Test after dropping Harry Brook's catch but he made a comeback on the last day, picking three wickets. Every ball he bowled in the morning session on Monday tormented the English batters.
"To be honest, the emotions I have right now (after the win), I cannot describe them because yesterday (Sunday) I dropped the catch. When I was going to bed (after day 4), I was only thinking about 'how could I drop it'.
"Had I taken that catch, we wouldn't have had to come out and play on Monday. We would have been in the room relaxed. But the Almighty had something else in store for us. He brought us to the stadium on Monday and the result is in front of everyone," Siraj said.
Siraj had stumbled on to the ropes while collecting Brook's catch at fine leg on day four, which would have turned the game decisively for India.
"When I woke up in the morning (on Monday), my inner self told me that I can do it, I can change the game. I had that belief," he said.
"I woke up in the morning and checked google on my phone and took out a 'Believe' emoji wallpaper and told myself that I will do it for the country.
"I always believe that I can win the game from any point, and did that in the morning."
After the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 ended in a 2-2 draw India are currently on third in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table tally after Australia and Sri Lanka.