Mohammed Siraj shared his thoughts on taking charge of India’s pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah during the second Test against England.

Mohammed Siraj Rises to the Challenge as India Seize Control at Edgbaston

Harry Brook and Jamie Smith threatened to snatch the momentum away from India with a commanding 303-run partnership for the sixth wicket during England’s first innings in the second Test at Edgbaston. But the second new ball turned the tide as Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj dismantled England’s lower order with precision. Siraj stood out, finishing with an impressive six-wicket haul to wrap up the innings at 407, giving India a crucial 180-run lead.

Speaking to JioHotstar after stumps on Day 3, Siraj reflected on leading India’s pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. “I love responsibility. I love a challenge,” he said. “I’ve faced many challenges in life, and that has shaped me. When I’m given responsibility, I take it seriously and perform.”

Mohammed Siraj gave India the perfect start on Day 3, removing Joe Root and Ben Stokes in just the second over. He returned in the final session to dismiss Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir, completing a clinical performance. Emphasizing the importance of pressure and consistency, Mohammed Siraj added, “My only aim was to bowl tight lines and lengths. With nearly 600 runs on the board, I wanted to apply pressure and hold the ball for as long as possible.”

With just 38 Tests under his belt, Siraj is already stepping into a leadership role in the pace department — embracing the responsibility with grit and determination.

Plan is to score as many runs as possible

At stumps on Day 3, India ended their second innings at 64/1, extending their overall lead to 244 runs over England. Mohammed Siraj, who starred with the ball earlier in the day, reflected on India’s strategy going forward and the condition of the Edgbaston pitch. According to Siraj, the surface is slowing down significantly, making it essential for India to build as big a lead as possible.

“We are very far ahead. But our plan is to make as many runs as possible on the board,” Siraj said in a post-day chat. “Their mindset is attacking, so we want to put up a big total. It helps the bowlers too.” He added that patience will be key, noting, “Day by day, the pitch has been slowing down. Once runs start leaking, it’s very difficult to stop. That’s why maintaining line and length is crucial.”

Siraj also celebrated a major personal milestone — his maiden five-wicket haul in England. He was instrumental in turning the match in India’s favour, dismissing Zak Crawley, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir to finish with six wickets in England’s first innings.

“It’s unbelievable, because I’ve been waiting for a year to get a five-wicket haul. I was always stuck at four,” he said. “And getting six wickets in England, for the first time in my career, is very special. I didn’t want to try too much — just stick to one area. When you get a wicket from that zone, it lifts the team and changes the atmosphere.”

With a growing lead and the pitch deteriorating, India, powered by Siraj’s fiery spell, look firmly in control as the second Test heads into a crucial phase.