- August 4, 2025
Let’s be honest—every cricket series has its hidden star performer. And there are times when there is one player who does not just show up for a series; he has shown up. This is exactly what Mohammed Siraj has done throughout the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, but especially on Day 2 of the Test match at The Oval. While most of the Indian pacers have rotated in and out of the bowling attack for reasons ranging from poor form to fatigue, there has been one constant factor—Siraj has been the one extreme, engaged, and brutally aggressive player.
A Bowler Who Refuses to Fade
What sets Siraj apart isn’t just his stats—though those are impressive too. It’s his attitude. Kartik was spot on: Siraj didn’t have the best start to Day 2. Lesser bowlers would’ve faded into the background, hiding behind the conditions or waiting for someone else to step up. Not Siraj.
Instead, he came back with venom. Ollie Pope had looked solid, but Siraj sent him on his way with one that shouted ‘I’m not done yet.’ And just as Harry Brook had begun to look dangerous with a well-paced knock, Siraj sped one through to dismiss him too. That late-session wicket felt like a real blow to England’s chances of a big lead, and a statement of intent from Siraj.
He’s now sitting on 18 wickets from eight innings, topping the series charts. His average? 35.66. His strike rate? 51.77. But numbers only tell half the story. The real tale is in how he’s bowled—heart on sleeve, spell after spell, day after day.
The “Performer of the Series” Tag? Well Deserved
Kartik was quick to dub Siraj as “the standout star of the series.” And he’s not wrong. Most of the other bowlers—some through rotation, some through injury—haven’t stuck around through all five Tests. But Siraj has. And not just physically, mentally too. His intensity hasn’t dipped even once. Whether it’s morning moisture or a flat evening deck, he’s run in like every ball might be his last.
Looking for a bowler who sets the tone? That is Siraj – even when his opening delivery is not to his liking. Need someone to rev up the team during a moribund passage of play? Siraj. With Bumrah carefully managed and Shami absent from the series, Siraj’s workload and impact have been huge. In a way, he has progressed from a bright supporting cast persona to India’s lead actor with the ball.
When Praise Meets Purpose
The reason why Murali Kartik’s praise carries weight, when it is all said and done, is because of the context. Kartik is not a flowery completer; his comments are always calculated and thoughtful. So, for him to describe Siraj’s rhythm, his consistency, and his uncontrollable energy puts into perspective just how important the pacer is to this Indian team.
And it is not just with the ball. Siraj’s energy on the field is infectious. His celebrations after wickets, his chatter, his aggression—all of those things may not show up on a stat sheet, but they do a lot for the atmosphere among the group. The dressing room feels it – and so do the people in the stands.
Mohammed Siraj is not only having a great series – he is owning it. With a tour full of narratives – Anderson’s final farewell, Rohit’s leadership, the struggles of an England test side at home – it’s Siraj’s resilience that has captured the headlines. He isn’t just India’s strike bowler; he is their spirit animal at the moment.
