- August 6, 2025
You know a series is unforgettable when, years from now, fans won’t say “that series against England,” they’ll say “Siraj’s series.” From being the feisty fast bowler in the background to becoming the face of India’s triumph, Mohammed Siraj has had a blockbuster 2025. And if you’re wondering just how good he was, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has put it perfectly: “What heart he showed! This series will be remembered after him.” Let’s break down how Siraj made this five-Test epic one for the history books—and how others, like Jadeja and Sundar, played the perfect supporting cast.
Siraj’s Unmatched Firepower – From Supporting Act to Showstopper
Before this series, Siraj’s reputation was built around his aggression, energy, and hustle. But this time? He was India’s strike weapon of choice, especially when the chances were slim. Siraj wrapped up the series with a stunning haul of 23 wickets in five Tests, outshining every other bowler from both camps and firmly planting his flag as the standout strike weapon of the series. But it wasn’t only the number, it was the when and how that made it unique.
In the fifth Test’s final innings, England needed just 35 runs with four wickets in hand—game practically over, right? Not if Siraj had anything to say about it. With a breathtaking burst, he picked up three quick wickets, including a toe-crushing yorker that Irfan Pathan called “deserved” as the final blow. That final day collapse handed India a six-run win and gave fans one of the most dramatic finishes in recent memory.
From Day 1 of the series to Day 5 of the finale, Siraj bowled with rhythm, heart, and most importantly—purpose. His consistency, fitness, and fiery spells proved that he’s no longer in the shadows of senior pacers.
Jadeja’s Redemption: A Batting Beast Unleashed
As Siraj tortured batters with the ball, Ravindra Jadeja was torturing them all—again. Irfan Pathan didn’t hold back his praise, declaring that Jadeja “batted on another level.” And it isn’t an exaggeration. Jadeja’s blade spoke fluently in boundaries and balance, composing an innings collection that belonged in a batting museum. For a player many thought of as a bowling all-rounder, those numbers are elite.
What made Jadeja’s batting special this time around was the weight of the responsibility he now had to carry. With senior batters such as Kohli not eating anything with any sort of consistency, Jadeja stood up in the key moments – anchoring innings, countering collapses, and frustrating the England bowlers with the way he batted and the calmness he showed.
Washington Sundar’s Surprise Package in Overseas Conditions
Let’s get real – Washington Sundar was not the headline act coming into this series. But by the time this series was done? He certainly made everyone take notice. The young all-rounder played only four Tests, but made 284 runs, including a tough century and a classy fifty.
What made his performance stand out was his control and adaptability in English conditions. Irfan Pathan even went as far as calling him a better spinner than Jadeja in overseas conditions, and while that’s a spicy take, you can’t ignore Sundar’s impressive drift and subtle variations.
He bowled intelligently, batted even smarter, and showed he’s more than just a backup player. For a side that has struggled to find a spin-bowling all-rounder who can be successful outside Asia, Sundar’s emergence could be the answer we’ve been looking for.
