Mohammed Siraj Embraces Leadership Role In Pace Attack, Shines Without Jasprit Bumrah

The second test of the five-match series is being played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, between India and England. On Day 3 of the game, the host nation players Harry Brook and Jamie Smith threatened Indian bowlers when the duo made a partnership of 303 runs for the sixth wicket in the first innings of the second test. However, the Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj had different plans for the England team with the new ball; with the help of Akash Deep, he dismissed Ben Stokes tailenders and sent them back to the pavilion in no time. Siraj became the highlight of the match as he clinched six wickets after England got all out.

After stumps on Day 3, Siraj opened up about leading the pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Without any filter, being honest, he stated that he saw many challenges in his life and now looks forward to standing up for his team in every odd situation.

He gave a very good start to the team on Day 3, dismissing Ben Stokes and Joe Root in the second over of the game. After that, in the final session, he dismissed Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir back to the pavilion, wrapping up England's innings at 407 runs, giving India a lead of 180 runs.

Siraj said,

"Akash Deep is playing just his 3rd or 4th Test match. The same is the case with Praisdh Krishna. I have played 38 tests. My only aim was to deliver and bowl consistent lines and lengths. I had almost 600 runs on my board. So, I also wanted to try this. But my only aim was to hold the ball as much as I could. If the pressure builds, it would have been great for us."

"I love the responsibility. I love a challenge. Because I have seen a lot of challenges in life. And I have come from there. So, I like challenges. And when responsibility comes to me, then I take that thing very well. So, I like it when responsibility comes to me."

At the end of day 3 and stumps, India's score was 64 for 1 in the second innings, with the Indian team having a lead of 244 runs. Siraj stated that the wicket is slowing down at a drastic pace. The main aim is to score more and more runs, as England has an attacking mindset.

He said,

"We are very far ahead. But our plan is to make as many runs as possible on the board. Their mindset is attacking. So we want to get as many runs as possible. It's good for the bowlers as well."

"Day by day, the pitch has been slowing down. I didn't feel anything. If you bowl at one place, once the run starts leaking, it's very difficult to stop. Patience is very important here."

The 31-year-old also stated that taking five wickets in England is a very special feeling for him, as he did for the first time in his career. He took the wickets of Zak Crawley, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, and Shoaib Bashir in the second test at Edgbaston.

Further, he said,

"It's unbelievable, because I've been waiting for a year to get a five-wicket haul. I was always stuck at 4. The bowling was so good, but I wasn't getting a five-wicket haul. So, this moment is very special for me. And in England, I didn't get a fifer. So, these 6 wickets are very special for me."

"The wicket was very slow. Because when you get a responsibility, and I had a lot of experience. So, my only aim was that I wouldn't try too much from my end. If I get a wicket from an area, it gives a lot of confidence to the team, and the atmosphere also changes."