Former Team India coach Ravi Shastri heaped praise on Mohammed Siraj for his outstanding bowling spell on Day 2 of fifth Test against England at The Kia Oval in London. With Siraj belonging to Hyderabad, Shastri claimed people in the city would appreciate his spell by saying, 'Miyan, sher jaisa daala hai.'
The 31-year-old, who has played all five Tests in the series, delivered yet another lion-hearted performance to put India's noses in the front. Siraj dismissed the likes of Ollie Pope (22), Harry Brook (53), Jacob Bethell (6) and Joe Root (29), limiting England's lead to only 23. He finished with figures of 16.2-1-86-4. With Jasprit Bumrah rested, Siraj performed the role of the senior bowler to perfection.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Day 3 in London, the 63-year-old claimed:
"He's got a million-dollar smile. He's the deputy superintendent of police in Hyderabad. In Hyderabad, everyone will say, 'Miyan, sher jaisa daala hai.' It means this guy has bowled like a lion. With a lion-heart, he performed in this series. In Test matches, even where Bumrah is not there, he has given his heart. He is a tryer, from Day 1 I've seen him. He'll give his everything. You bring him on in his 3rd spell, he will bowl with the same kind of energy. What he's developed now, when he pitches it up, the outswing. That will make him doubly dangerous, it's his stock delivery will be a handful on this kind of surface."
"He's a deputy, superintendent, or police in Hyderabad!" 🫡
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 2, 2025
Ravi Shastri on Mohammed Siraj 🔥 pic.twitter.com/x6LbN6X9aK
Yashasvi Jaiswal's unbeaten fifty leads Team India's charge
Meanwhile, the tourists have finished 52 runs ahead in their second innings, reaching 75/2 at Stumps. India had started their day with the overnight total of 204/6 but collapsed for 224 as only Karun Nair made a half-century, making a decisive 57 on his return to the side. For England, Gus Atkinson took a first-innings five-wicket haul.
Although England openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley got their side off to an explosive start with a 92-run stand in 12.5 overs, they eventually folded for 247, finishing with a 23-run lead. Crawley (64) and Harry Brook (53) were the only home side's batters to pass half-centuries.
Amid tough batting conditions for India, England faced their own challenges, dropping three catches, including two off Jaiswal's bat. The left-hander eventually brought up his half-century off only 44 balls and is well set on 51. But the home side still managed to pick up two wickets, dismissing KL Rahul (7) and Sai Sudharsan (11) cheaply. India will come on Day 3, looking to bat big and batting England out of the contest.
You may also like
Strictly Come Dancing's Wynne Evans splits from fiancée weeks after proposing
CM Mamata's enhanced Durga Puja dole to face legal challenges at Calcutta HC
British passenger's lewd behaviour forced my flight to turn around - it was vile
Family says Brit kids who drowned on 'dream' Spain holiday went swimming every day
BJP's President elections likely to take place after Vice President poll