ENG vs IND 2025: ‘If I take a five-wicket haul, who am I going to hug?’ – Mohammed Siraj reveals heartwarming conversation with Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah was released from the squad during the ongoing fifth and final Test match between India and England at the KIA Oval in London, as the Indian team wanted to manage his workload. The veteran pacer played three Tests and picked up 14 wickets. In his absence, Mohammed Siraj has led the Indian pace attack commendably at the Oval.

In England’s first innings, Siraj bagged a four-for, helping India restrict the hosts to 247. After the end of play on Day 2, Siraj revealed that he had asked Bumrah who he would hug after getting a five-wicket haul as he was leaving the squad. In reply, Bumrah told him to just pick up the five-for and return to India.

“I told Jassi bhai (Jasprit Bumrah), ‘Why are you leaving, bhaiya? If I take a five-wicket haul, who am I going to hug?’ So he said, ‘I’m right here only. You just take five wickets.’ That’s the kind of conversation we’ve had,” said Siraj while talking to the BCCI.

Siraj’s exemplary performance with the ball helped him move up to the top of the list for the leading wicket-takers in the series. In five Tests, he has 18 wickets to his name, at an average of 35.67 and a strike rate of 51.78. The Hyderabad pacer said that it is fun bowling in England as there is a considerable amount of help for the seamers.

“Everyone loves playing in England because there’s more swing and the wickets here are helpful for fast bowlers. Like you said, being the highest wicket-taker — it feels really good. But the more matches we win, the better that will shine through,” said Siraj.

To give 100 percent, whatever the result may be – Siraj on his mindset

Siraj, 31, stated that from his childhood days, his only mindset has been to give his best without worrying about the result.

“From childhood till now, there’s been a lot of hard work to reach this point. But I always have just one mindset — to give 100 percent, whatever the result may be,” said Siraj.

India are 75/2 in their second innings, having taken a lead of 52 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Akash Deep will resume the Indian innings on Day 3.

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