In the wake of India’s dramatic series-levelling victory against England at The Oval, cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar lauded fast bowler Mohammed Siraj for his tireless efforts and warrior-like attitude. Siraj, who played a crucial role in India’s six-run win on Day 5, finished with a stunning 5/104, dismantling England’s lower order under immense pressure. His spell, especially the three wickets he snatched for just nine runs in the final stretch, proved decisive as India clawed back to square the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series 2-2.
Tendulkar, speaking via a video on his Reddit account, was all praise for Siraj’s body language and resilience, highlighting how the 31-year-old speedster has grown into a relentless force in India’s pace arsenal.
“Unbelievable. Superb approach. I love his attitude. I love the spring in his legs. For a fast bowler to be constantly in your face like that, no batsman will like it,” Sachin Tendulkar noted. “And to maintain that kind of intensity till the very end after bowling over 1,000 deliveries in the series—it shows his courage and big heart.”
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Mohammed Siraj finished the series as the leading wicket-taker, claiming 23 scalps at an average of 32.43 from 1,113 deliveries—more than any other bowler. His ability to lift the team in crunch moments has not gone unnoticed by Tendulkar, who believes Siraj’s impact often flies under the radar.
“He’s been that knockout punch when the team needs him. He’s done it time and again, and even in this series, his contributions were crucial. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves,” Sachin Tendulkar asserted.
While Mohammed Siraj stood out, much discussion also revolved around Jasprit Bumrah’s workload. The ace pacer, who played only three of the five Tests to manage his fitness post-injury, still ended with 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls. Tendulkar was quick to dismiss narratives linking India’s wins to Bumrah’s absence.
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“People are reading too much into that. Yes, we won the games he didn’t play, but that’s just coincidence,” he clarified. “Bumrah picked up five wickets in the very first Test, didn’t play the second, and then again came back to claim another fifer. Out of the three matches he played, he had two standout spells. That speaks volumes of his quality.”
For Tendulkar, Bumrah remains among the very best. “What he has achieved so far is unbelievable. He’s been a top-tier performer without any question,” he concluded.
