'Jasprit Bumrah didn't win a Test’: Former Aussie cricketer lauds Mohammed Siraj for thriving under pressure

Former Aussie cricketer lauds Mohammed Siraj for thriving under pressure (PTI Photo)

Former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin offered a candid take on India’s 2-2 series draw against England, noting that the team has shown it can succeed even in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. In the intense five-match Test series, India clinched victories at Edgbaston and The Oval — both times with Bumrah rested due to workload management.

Mohammed Siraj filled in during Bumrah’s absence, and his valiant efforts with the ball propelled India to significant victories. With his five wickets, he reversed the tide at the Oval, helping India win by six runs to level the series.

While Siraj participated in every match and finished as the best wicket-taker with 23 wickets, Bumrah played three Test matches and grabbed 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls.

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"India, they can take a lot out (of this) that they can still play without Bumrah. His life goes on if the other bowlers find a way. They have got so much talent over there in India. But he didn't win a Test match," Haddin said on YouTube channel LiSTNR Sport.

The former Australian wicketkeeper, however, lavished Siraj with accolades for spearheading the attack while Bumrah was out. Siraj, he said, prefers the big stage and performs best under pressure.

"I think Siraj likes being the leader of the attack. He is one of those guys that he wants the ball in big situations. Yes, he makes mistakes, but he doesn't shy away from wanting the occasion. If you have players like that who aren't afraid to make mistakes, who can get under the skin of opposition because of the way that they want to be in the game, they are the guys you want," he added.

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Haddin emphasized that Siraj wanted to bowl every over to assist his team win the match, and the pacer took three wickets on Day 5 at the Oval when India needed four wickets to win.

"He wanted the ball in that last hour of play. There's no way in the world he didn't want to bowl every over to win the game. He dropped the catch. That's a bad miss, your details got to be better there when you are catching that. But that also didn't define him by the Test match. We are not going to talk about that catch now," he concluded.