India National Cricket Team premier fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has opened up on why he refused to drop out of the playing XI in the fifth and final Test match on the England tour.
Mohammed Siraj also revealed that Shubman Gill personally asked him how his body was feeling after playing four consecutive Test matches in England and whether he could handle the load of the series finale.
Mohammed Siraj finished as the leading wicket-taker in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy
The right-arm Siraj was at his very best in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against the England National Cricket Team away from home. He played all five matches of the series, showcasing top-notch fitness levels, and even on the 25th day of the play, he was breathing fire.
Your daily dose of cricket!
Overall, Siraj bagged 23 wickets in 9 innings at an average of 32.43 and finished as the leading wicket-taker in the series between India and England.
The responsibility on Siraj’s shoulders was extra as the pace spearhead featured in three out of five Test matches in order to manage his workload. It was a pre-determined plan heading into the five-match Test series, and he received a green light from the BCCI.
When I landed in England, my aim was to become the highest wicket-taker – Mohammed Siraj
Speaking at the Indian Express’ Idea Exchange, Mohammed Siraj said that he had worked very hard before the series and wanted to become the leading wicket-taker. He elaborated:
“When I landed in England, my aim was to become the highest wicket-taker there. That was my zone. During the whole series, I was mentally strong — I wanted to be 100 per cent fit, 100 per cent available, and play all five matches. My rhythm was also very good when I played the practice matches. When I found out that Jassi bhai (Jasprit Bumrah) was not going to play all the matches, since I was the second senior fast bowler in the team, I wanted to give my 100 per cent.
“When we played the last series in Australia in 2024, I took 20 wickets. But Jassi bhai’s performance was extraordinary. I played well in the IPL. That gave me confidence. After the Champions Trophy, I had a good break. I realised what was wrong with my bowling. I practised and worked on my fitness.”
Shubman (Gill) asked me, ‘Kaisi hai teri body?’ – Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj further opened up on the rumours of him being asked to rest and not play the fifth Test when the scoreline was in favor of Ben Stokes & Co by 2-1.
Siraj revealed a chat with Shubman Gill where the Indian Test captain told him that he was as important as Jasprit Bumrah and asked if he could play the final Test. He said:
“Shubman (Gill) asked me, ‘Kaisi hai teri body?’ (How is your body?). I said, ‘Ekdum (absolutely) first-class’. He asked me if I would play. I said yes. He said, you are the main bowler for us, like Jasprit Bumrah, you decide. I said I’m available and am 100 per cent fit. I will give it everything.
“As for my body being tired, to be honest, I would have played one more Test if it was there. I didn’t feel tired. But I was in a zone. When you enter that zone, you don’t know what you are doing, but just have that feeling that I have to do something here.”
Also Read: Rohit Sharma faces “Perform or Perish” test as BCCI finalizes his replacement at the top
