IND Vs ENG: Mohammed Siraj's Heroics Revive India's Hopes In 2nd Test

Responsibility and challenge are two words not unfamiliar to Mohammad Siraj in his life nor in his 38-Test career. The 31-year-old Hyderabadi has been India's No 3 in the pace department behind the incomparable Jasprit Bumrah and the industrious Mohammad Shami and yet has been able to carve a niche for himself in Test cricket with 102 wickets.

With Bumrah rested for the second Test in Birmingham and the marauding 'Bazballers' more than happy to take apart the Indian pace attack which was left thin on experience, Siraj's role to deliver the goods was critical.

The 6/70 that he mustered would be a significant moment in the India pacer's career given the context and circumstances of the epic performance.

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A ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ performance! #MohammedSiraj steps up in the absence of #JaspritBumrah and delivers a memorable bowling performance at Edgbaston! 🔥#ENGvIND 👉 2nd TEST, Day 3 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar ➡ https://t.co/zKFoXmGVoj pic.twitter.com/8C6jkd1FuK

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 4, 2025

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Not only was he able to polish the tail comprising Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue and Shoaib Bashir in a jiffy but scalped the opener Zak Crawley, the indomitable Joe Root and the dangerous Ben Stokes at crucial junctures to ensure India were always ahead in the game.

For someone who was nurtured and developed as a fine fast bowler under the tutelage of former India bowling coach Bharat Arun in the Ravi Shastri-Virat Kohli era, Siraj has grown and evolved to be a go-to man in crisis situations. And no bigger test than a Bumrah-less India trailing England 0-1 in a five-Test tour on English soil.

On a day three pitch in Birmingham with not much in it for the bowlers, Siraj and Co were tested to the hilt by the monumental sixth-wicket partnership of 303 between Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, who both slammed sensational hundreds.

It takes a special bowler to keep the pressure up and in the process help the inexperienced Akash Deep, who rose to the occasion like a phoenix and scalped the key wicket of Brook, to exploit the built-up pressure.

Talking to the official broadcaster after the third day's play, Siraj stated he thrived when he was entrusted with responsibility.

"I love the responsibility, I love a challenge. I have seen a lot of challenges in my life and I have come from there. So, I like challenges. And when responsibility comes to me, then I take that thing very well. So, I like it when responsibility comes to me," he added.

However, the job is not done yet as far as Siraj and India are concerned as the Indian batters look to put on a mammoth target for England to chase. With England's turbo-charged batting prowess, Siraj will have to come to the party again in the fourth innings.