Mohammed Siraj: India's Resilient Workhorse Bowler In Test Cricket

Mohammed Siraj has emerged as a crucial figure within the Indian Test cricket setup. He consistently breaks partnerships, applying pressure in challenging overseas conditions. Siraj’s ability to generate seam and swing has created breakthroughs since his 2020 debut. His contributions, including in matches won, underscore his value to the pace attack.

Siraj's Growing Impact In Indian Test Cricket

Mohammed Siraj serves as a significant player in Test cricket. His December 2020 debut against Australia enhanced India’s bowling options, as he immediately impacted with his ability to seam and swing the ball. Siraj extracts seam and swing effectively.

His competitive spirit consistently creates vital breakthroughs for the team, especially in demanding overseas conditions. He has secured 83 wickets from 23 overseas Tests. His January 2021 maiden Test five-wicket haul in Brisbane and his 6/15 spell in Cape Town in 2024 were crucial for historic Indian Test victories.

Cricketing circles widely respect Siraj’s capacity to perform under pressure. This showcases his skill, mental fortitude, and reliability as a frontline seamer.

Statistical Comparison And Match-Winning Contributions

Siraj's statistics impress when compared with Jasprit Bumrah's after 37 Tests each. Siraj notched 102 wickets with three five-wicket hauls, while Bumrah led with 164 wickets and ten five-wicket hauls. Bumrah's Test average stands at 20.50; Siraj's is 32.51.

Siraj takes a nearly identical percentage of wickets in matches won: 58.82% (60 wickets) compared to Bumrah's 58.53% (96 wickets). This marks Siraj as often 'match-winning' for India. In IPL cricket, after 108 matches each, Siraj had 109 wickets.

His average is 28.88 with an economy of 8.60. Bumrah recorded 113 wickets; his average is 23.96 with an economy of 7.37.

After a thrilling Test at Lord’s in July 2025, Dinesh Karthik praised Siraj’s attitude: “The attitude of Bumrah and Siraj is also one to learn from for all of Indian cricket, really. They did not give up; they wanted to make a match out of it. They just kept doing everything to stay in the game.”

Amidst a tense run chase, Ravichandran Ashwin’s father expressed 'tongue-in-cheek' confidence that Siraj would 'finish the job with three sixes,' underlining the faith teammates and fans place in Siraj’s fighting spirit. Fans affectionately named him "Sir Viv Siraj" for his composure and grit under pressure during the 2025 Lord’s Test.

Workhorse Role And Unyielding Spirit

Cricketing experts recognise Siraj as the 'workhorse' of India’s pace attack, especially since 2022, having bowled the most overs among pacers in Tests during this period. He consistently endures tough spells against top batters or in demanding conditions. This pressure allows teammates to capitalise on breakthroughs he creates.

He works vigorously on the field, reflecting his team commitment. This includes opening the bowling in challenging overseas arenas. It also involves batting crucial overs under immense pressure, as seen at Lord’s in July 2025. His six-wicket haul at Lord’s in 2021 exemplifies his contributions.

His gallant batting in close finishes showcases his 'never-give-up' attitude. Siraj along with Bumrah forms the backbone of India's pace attack, leading to some of India's best overseas results, with Siraj’s commitment and breakthroughs a constant factor.

The 2025 England Tour And Career Milestones

Siraj’s perseverance featured prominently during the 2025 England tour. In India’s narrow 22-run loss at Lord's, he batted resolutely for 29 balls before an unlucky dismissal—all while handling primary bowling responsibilities in the tight contest.

While his initial wicket-taking did not yield many breakthroughs, his resolve and dual contribution earned widespread admiration. Siraj is a crucial fast-bowling contributor in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. In 2024, he claimed 35 wickets in 13 matches, continuing to play an important role in India’s WTC aspirations.

His career highlights include 5/73 in Brisbane in 2021 and his game-changing 6/15 spell at Cape Town in 2024. These moments shifted momentum, leading to landmark victories for India. Siraj also showed resilience against earlier setbacks.

In early 2025, selectors controversially omitted him from the Champions Trophy squad due to concerns about his old-ball effectiveness. Siraj immediately responded by highlighting his impressive old-ball statistics and bounced back with strong Test performances, particularly in seam-friendly England conditions.

His professional focus, work ethic, and ability to channel adversity into match-winning spells reinforce his elite status within the Indian cricket team.