Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has praised Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj for his strong attitude and powerful performance in the recent Test match against England. Tendulkar said Siraj doesn’t always get the praise he truly deserves, even though he plays a very important role for the team.
Siraj was the star on the fifth and final day of the Test at The Oval, where India won by just six runs to level the five-match series 2-2. He took five wickets for 104 runs in the match. His spell on the last day was especially impressive—he got three wickets while giving away only nine runs in 25 balls. Siraj ended the match by knocking over Gus Atkinson’s off-stump, sealing a thrilling win for India and adding his name to Indian cricket history.
Tendulkar, in a video posted on Reddit, said, “Unbelievable performance. I really love his attitude and his energy. He always looks ready to fight. That kind of spirit from a fast bowler is something no batsman enjoys. Even after bowling more than 1,000 balls in the series, he was still bowling at 90 mph (around 145 km/h) on the final day. That shows how brave and strong he is.”
Siraj ended the series as the highest wicket-taker with 23 wickets at an average of 32.43. He bowled a total of 1,113 deliveries. Tendulkar said Siraj always steps up when the team needs him most. “He has played key roles before, and once again he delivered in this series. But somehow, people don’t give him the credit he truly deserves,” Tendulkar added.
The series also saw Jasprit Bumrah play only three Tests due to workload management, as he continues to recover fully from a back injury he picked up in January 2024 during the Sydney Test against Australia. Bumrah still managed to take 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls.
Tendulkar also defended Bumrah against people saying India only won the matches where Bumrah didn’t play. “People are talking, saying we won the Tests he didn’t play. But that’s just a coincidence. In fact, Bumrah started the series with a five-wicket haul and then took another five at Lord’s. He played just three Tests and still made a big impact,” Tendulkar said.
He went on to say that Bumrah is one of the best in the world. “The quality he brings to the team is amazing. What he has done so far is outstanding. Without a doubt, he’s been very consistent. I would rate him right at the top, alongside the best fast bowlers in the world,” Tendulkar concluded.
Both Siraj and Bumrah have shown how valuable they are to India’s pace attack, and their efforts played a big role in India’s success in the series against England.