India’s fiery fast bowler Mohammed Siraj shared an inspiring moment from the recent England Test series, revealing how skipper Shubman Gill’s faith gave him a fresh burst of motivation ahead of the fifth Test. Siraj, who bowled tirelessly throughout the series, said Gill checked on his fitness before the Oval Test after he had already sent down several long spells in the earlier matches.
But Mohammed Siraj’s reply was vintage — a confident, “Ekdum first-class!” — a response that instantly lifted the captain’s spirits. In a candid chat with The Indian Express during their Idea Exchange session, Siraj said he never once felt fatigue, despite the demanding workload.
“Gill asked me, ‘Kaisi hai teri body?’ I told him, ‘Ekdum first-class.’ He said, ‘You are the main bowler for us, like Jasprit Bumrah — you decide.’ I said I’m 100% fit and ready to go,” Mohammed Siraj recalled. “Honestly, if there had been one more Test, I would have played that too.”
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The numbers back his claim of stamina and consistency. Siraj finished as the highest wicket-taker in the series with 23 scalps, including a match-defining nine-wicket haul in the final Test. With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable for the last game, Siraj led India’s attack with grit and discipline, setting the tone for a memorable win.
Mohammed Siraj shares how he boosted Shubman Gill’s trust ahead of the Oval Test, leading to his standout 23 wickets in the England series#MohammedSiraj #IndianCricket #shubhmangill #England https://t.co/O9codVwBfp
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Reflecting on his emotional journey through the series, Siraj described how fate turned in his favour after moments of heartbreak — from getting bowled cheaply at Lord’s to missing a crucial catch of Harry Brook by a few inches at the boundary rope.
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“It felt like a script written from above,” Mohammed Siraj smiled. “I went through my share of ups and downs, but destiny had planned a perfect ending.”
That unwavering passion and “first-class” mindset continue to define Mohammed Siraj’s rise as India’s premier pace warrior.
