After 24 days of thrilling test matches in England, the series was finally wrapped up in a dramatic finale at The Oval. England needed 35 more runs to win, while India needed four more wickets. The tension was palpable as everyone knew that one spell from the bowlers would decide the destiny of the series.

The man who shouldered the responsibility was Mohammed Siraj. He bowled like a man possessed and sent the lower-order Englishmen scampering back to the pavilion. He pulled off a stunning catch at short leg and had Jamie Smith edge one behind him.

He trapped Jamie Overton leg before and sent Gus Atkinson’s stumps flying as he claimed five wickets to help India register a six-run victory in what was without a doubt one of the most exciting test matches. Siraj was the hero of the hour as his spell of bowling anchored India’s hopes of winning the match.

Stepping Into the Void: Mohammed Siraj

As India prepared for a challenging Test series in Sri Lanka, Siraj was again in the headlines. Jasprit Bumrah again had an injury problem, and the obvious question about who would lead India’s attack in Tests arose. After all, Bumrah is a high-quality bowler whose skill and power can change a match in six balls. But to lead an attack, especially in a Test match, you need something more than just quality and the ability to change the game’s dynamic.

You also need resilience, to take on the windward seam, to set the attack with a new ball and run, make way for your team-mates when they have their turn, and then return to face the third and fourth innings when the game shows no signs of ending quickly.

It seems that Siraj has been quietly preparing for this role for the last year, turning into a reliable second spearhead for India.

By the Numbers: Siraj vs. Bumrah (Last 12 Months)

During last year’s tour of England, Siraj bowled in all five Tests, surpassing his own figures and finishing as India’s highest wicket-taker. Bumrah’s displays, on the other hand, have been erratic, and he’s had to leave many a game early due to strict workload management. In Siraj, the management has a willing replacement

Mohammed Siraj’s Rhythm is the Question

It’s not that the off-spinner isn’t as good as Bumrah. But the main concern before this Sri Lanka series is Siraj’s sharpness. He hasn’t played much in the last few months. His last red-ball match was the one-off Test match against Afghanistan in June, and he sat out most of the white-ball fixtures in between

Fast bowling requires rhythm and competitive edge. And when a bowler hasn’t bowled for long, that can be an issue – especially when it comes to red-ball cricket. That format takes a lot out of you, but it also brings out the best in Siraj. His competitive streak, his determination to win every over and ball, has seen him bowl some of India’s most crucial overs in the past

Naming Siraj as the leader of the attack doesn’t take away from Bumrah’s incredible ability and crucial match-winning performances. It is instead a statement of intent. India has chosen him as their vice-captain, and he needs to deliver.

This opportunity is his to own, for he has been the mainstay of India’s attack, taking the front seat while Bumrah rested and recovered. If he can find his rhythm in time in Sri Lanka, India will not only be able to withstand Bumrah’s absence but also realise that they have a bowler in Siraj who can single-handedly win them a series on the final day.