Mohammed Siraj opened up about an emotional moment shared with Jasprit Bumrah during the Oval Test, revealing how their close bond continues to fuel their performances. With Bumrah rested for the final Test as part of India’s workload management plan ahead of the Asia Cup, Siraj admitted his teammate’s departure took him aback.
Having formed a lethal partnership throughout the England series—sharing 32 wickets between them—Mohammed Siraj told BCCI.tv that he felt Bumrah’s absence deeply. “I asked Jassi bhai, ‘Why are you leaving, bhaiya? If I get a five-wicket haul, who will I hug?’ He just smiled and said, ‘Don’t worry, you just go get those five wickets.’ That’s the bond we share,” Siraj recounted warmly.
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While the Hyderabad pacer fell one short of that five-wicket haul, his figures of 4 for 86 were instrumental in dismantling England for 247 in their first innings. With those four scalps, Siraj surged to the top of the series wicket-takers’ list, claiming 18 wickets in total—a testament to his consistency and growth in the absence of India’s spearhead.
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Still, personal glory isn’t Mohammed Siraj’s main motivation. “It feels good to be the highest wicket-taker, but I want the team to win. That’s when these performances really shine,” he said. His humility and team-first approach have stood out throughout the series.
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Siraj, who has blossomed into a reliable strike bowler, also reflected on the journey that’s brought him here. “Since childhood, I’ve had just one mindset—give my 100 per cent in every match, no matter the result,” he said.
He credited England’s seam-friendly conditions for aiding fast bowlers but emphasised that success only comes through hard work and unwavering belief. His spell at The Oval, even without Bumrah at the other end, proved just that.
