India’s heart-pounding six-run win at The Oval was a showcase of determination, grit, and a bowler who simply refused to back down—Mohammed Siraj. His fiery spells through the England series not only won matches but also sparked an unexpected comparison from former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin, who offered a blunt critique of India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

According to Haddin, while Bumrah is widely regarded as one of the finest seamers in world cricket, it was Siraj who truly made the difference in India’s two triumphs on the tour. Bumrah, having just returned from a six-month injury layoff, entered the England Test series with limited game time under his belt. He featured in only a few matches during the IPL and had to be handled with extreme care due to his recurring back issues.

As a result, India’s management played him in only three of the five Tests—at Hyderabad, Headingley, and Lord’s. The expectation was clear: India needed to win the games in which Bumrah played if they were to topple England’s aggressive Bazball approach.

ALSO READ: Mohammad Kaif Backs Gautam Gambhir After India’s Gritty Series Draw

Yet, despite his notable spells and even a five-wicket haul at Headingley, India couldn’t convert those outings into wins. Instead, it was Siraj who stepped up when it mattered most. His 6 for 70 at Edgbaston and the match-winning hauls of 4 for 84 and 5 for 104 at The Oval turned the tide in India’s favour.

Haddin noted that these moments not only defined the young pacer’s character but also proved to India that they can prevail even without their talismanic spearhead. “India can take a lot from this. That they can still play without Bumrah… but he didn’t win a Test match,” Haddin pointed out on the LiSTNR Sport YouTube channel.

Haddin’s praise for Siraj wasn’t limited to stats. He lauded the Hyderabad seamer’s attitude, remarking how Siraj thrives in pressure situations and relishes the responsibility of leading the attack.

ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar Hails Mohammed Siraj’s Heroics, Says “He Deserves More Credit”

“He wants the ball in big moments. He’s not afraid to make mistakes. That’s the kind of player you want—someone who stays in the fight,” Brad Haddin said.

Even Siraj’s dropped catch in the final hour didn’t dim his impact on the match. “That catch doesn’t define him,” Haddin insisted. “We’re not talking about that now. What matters is, he kept coming, kept attacking, and won India the Test.” In many ways, Siraj’s fightback echoed the very spirit that defined India’s gritty series finish.