Mohammed Siraj: The Relentless Warrior

In the annals of Test cricket, few series capture the imagination quite like a clash between England and India. The inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in 2025, named after two legends—England’s swing maestro James Anderson and India’s batting icon Sachin Tendulkar—lived up to its billing as a grueling, five-Test epic in English conditions. Amid the rain delays, swinging Dukes balls, and high-stakes drama, one player emerged as India’s unbreakable spearhead: Mohammed Siraj. The Hyderabad pacer, often called “Miyan Magic,” shouldered the bowling attack with unyielding stamina, finishing as the series’ leading wicket-taker with 23 scalps across all five matches.

His journey through the series was a rollercoaster of triumphs and trials, culminating in a fairytale finish that etched his name into cricketing folklore. In my view, Siraj’s performance wasn’t just about numbers; it symbolized the grit of a new-era Indian fast bowler thriving in alien territories.

Siraj’s highs were nothing short of spectacular, showcasing why he’s become India’s go-to enforcer in overseas Tests. From the outset at Lord’s, where the series began, Siraj set the tone with his aggressive seam bowling. He bowled tirelessly, clocking 185.3 overs—the second-most by an Indian seamer in a series since 2002—and delivered a staggering 1,113 balls, leading the charts for endurance. This workload was no mean feat in seaming English pitches, where pacers often break down. His peak came in the second Test at Edgbaston, where he dismantled England’s middle order with a spellbinding 6/70 in their first innings. Siraj’s ability to swing the ball both ways, combined with his bouncer barrage, tormented batsmen like Joe Root, with whom he engaged in a tactical duel spanning 222 deliveries across the series—the longest individual battle of the contest. Root, England’s linchpin, fell to Siraj multiple times, underscoring the Indian’s tactical acumen.

Another highlight was Siraj’s consistency in hostile conditions. Unlike previous Indian tours where pacers faded, Siraj played every Test, becoming only the third Indian bowler to achieve this in three away series while picking 10 or more wickets each time. His 23 wickets equaled the record for the most by an Indian in a Test series in England, tying with legends like Kapil Dev. In the fourth Test at Old Trafford, amid overcast skies, Siraj’s four-wicket haul in the first innings helped India gain a foothold, even as England fought back. His raw pace, often exceeding 140 km/h, and reverse swing in the later stages made him indispensable. Post-series, Siraj stormed to a career-best ICC Test ranking, jumping several spots after his Oval exploits. For me, these moments highlight Siraj’s evolution from a fiery debutant to a mature leader of the attack, especially with Jasprit Bumrah sharing the load but Siraj out-wicketing him.

Yet, no fairytale is without its shadows, and Siraj’s lows reminded us of the unforgiving nature of Test cricket. His average of 32.43, while respectable, hinted at spells where he leaked runs, particularly in the first Test at Lord’s, where England amassed a mammoth total, and Siraj went wicketless in one innings while conceding over four runs per over. The third Test at Headingley saw him struggle against England’s aggressive Bazball approach; Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley feasted on loose deliveries, forcing Siraj to toil for minimal rewards. A notable low was a fielding blunder in the fifth Test’s fourth innings, where he dropped a crucial catch off his own bowling, allowing Chris Woakes to extend England’s resistance. Critics, including Sachin Tendulkar himself, snubbed Siraj’s ripping delivery to dismiss Crawley as the “ball of the series,” opting instead for a teammate’s effort—a subtle reminder that even stars face scrutiny. These moments tested Siraj’s mental fortitude; his economy rate occasionally ballooned under pressure, reflecting the challenges of leading an attack without consistent spin support on pitches that flattened out. In opinion, these dips weren’t failures but learning curves, exposing the fine line between aggression and control in English summers.

The series’ fairytale end, however, redeemed everything and elevated Siraj to heroic status. Trailing 2-1 after the fourth Test, India entered the decider at The Oval on July 31, 2025, needing a win to draw the series. Batting first, India crumbled to 224, but Siraj’s 4/84 pegged England back to 247. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s second-innings 118 propelled India to 396, setting England 374 to win. On a tense Day 5, with drizzle threatening, Siraj produced a performance for the ages: 5/104 in the fourth innings, including key wickets of Ollie Pope (lbw) and Ben Stokes. England, cruising at one point, collapsed as Siraj, Prasidh Krishna (4 wickets), and Akash Deep turned the screws.

(The Writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)