Greg Chappell hails Mohammed Siraj as India’s new pace leader, with or without Jasprit Bumrah

Mohammed Siraj ready to become India's leading pace bowler. (PTI Photo)

Former India coach Greg Chappell believes that fast bowler Mohammed Siraj is ready to emerge as both the “spiritual and actual” leader of India’s pace attack — with or without Jasprit Bumrah. Siraj showcased remarkable endurance and skill in the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, bowling 185.3 overs and claiming 23 wickets across five Tests.

His most memorable performance came in the series-deciding final Test at The Oval, where his fiery spell played a crucial role in India's thrilling six-run victory over England to level the series. He took six wickets in that game.

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"To be fair, he has turned in many fine performances before, at the MCG, the Gabba, Perth, Lord's, Cape Town and Birmingham, but what he did at The Oval was his true coming of age. With or without Bumrah, he is ready to be the spiritual as well as actual leader of Gill's attack," Chappell wrote in his column for the 'ESPN Cricinfo'.

Indian batters scored 12 hundreds in the five Tests, highest for the country in any series but Siraj's effort trumps all those efforts, feels Chappell, who was India's coach from mid 2005 to early 2007.
The Shubman Gill-led side showed tremendous effort with bat as a total of 12 hundreds were scored from the visitors during the series. Chappell feels Siraj's effort with the ball trumps all the performance from their batters.

"I don't think it is unfair to say that, despite the many wonderful batting efforts, Siraj was the main reason that India was competitive in the series," Chappell wrote.

At 31, Siraj has proven to be tough in every sense—physically, mentally, and emotionally. But what truly impressed Greg Chappell was his knack for recognising crucial moments and stepping up when it mattered most.

According to Chappell, Siraj’s performance in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence was nothing short of heroic.

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"He bowled like a man possessed, but also a man who had learned the art of pacing himself, of understanding the moments that matter. What impressed me most wasn't the effort - which was immense - but the evolution. He started as a bowler with passion. He ended as a bowler with passion and purpose. That's the difference between a player and a leader," Chappell explained the bowler's gradual growth.

At 31, Siraj has proven to be tough in every sense—physically, mentally, and emotionally. But what truly impressed Greg Chappell was his knack for recognising crucial moments and stepping up when it mattered most.

According to Chappell, Siraj’s performance in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence was nothing short of heroic.

"To bowl more than 185 overs in five Test matches over six weeks in any condition is a physical, mental and emotional marathon. To do so with consistent intensity, while carrying the attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah for stretches, is bordering on heroic." However Chappell felt that initially Siraj lacked confidence.

"Siraj began the series tentatively. He lacked rhythm and confidence and bowled mixed lines and lengths. Questions were rightly asked about his readiness to lead the attack sans Bumrah. But with each Test, he grew. The body language changed. The shoulders didn't slump; they squared. The run-up lengthened, the wrist snap sharpened, the eyes burned even brighter. He didn't just gain form - he grew in stature. By the final Test, he was no longer the support act. He was the main event." While Chappell couldn't understand how Kuldeep Yadav missed out on an entire series, he earmarked Washington Sundar as the man who will be India's leading all-rounder with an ability to play more than 50 Tests.

"To me, Kuldeep Yadav not being picked was incomprehensible, as he is a potential match-winner. Fixing errors like that, and embarking on a continuing search for bowling depth, can make this a formidable team.

"I will be surprised if Washington Sundar doesn't establish himself as the team's premier allrounder, who I expect to play in excess of 50 Tests," Chappell further wrote. (With PTI inputs)