ENG vs IND 2025: ‘He’s bowled like a lion’ – Ravi Shastri praises Mohammed Siraj for his brilliant spell at The Oval

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has lauded Mohammed Siraj for his outstanding bowling performance in the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England. On Day 2 at The Oval in London, Siraj delivered a crucial four-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 4/86.

With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the match, Siraj stepped up as the spearhead of the Indian pace attack. He dismissed Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, and Joe Root, restricting England’s first-innings lead to just 23 runs. Shastri praised Siraj for his unwavering effort throughout the tour, stating that the pacer had been giving his all from the very beginning of the England series.

“He’s got a million dollar smile. He’s a deputy superintendent of police in Hyderabad. And in Hyderabad, everyone will say, ‘Miyan this guy has bowled like a lion.’ With a lion’s heart, he’s performed in this series, in Test matches, even when Bumrah is not there, he’s given his heart out. And he’s a trier. From day one, I’ve seen him, he gives his everything,” Shastri said on Sky Sports.

Siraj has now claimed 18 wickets in the series, making him the leading wicket-taker of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. He also etched his name in the history books by becoming the first Indian bowler to take multiple four-wicket hauls in Tests at The Oval. Shastri applauded the right-arm pacer for the intensity and energy he brought to the game. He noted that Siraj became particularly dangerous when he unleashed his stock delivery, which consistently troubled the English batters.

“You bring him on in a third spell, he’ll bowl with the same kind of energy as his first. And what he’s developed now is the ball, when he pitches it up, is outswing. That will make him doubly dangerous because his stock delivery, anyway, will be a handful on this kind of surface. But what a trier! I mean, that spell, Eight overs on the trot, where you thought he’s going to be finished,” Shastri added.

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