Media365
Mohammed Siraj reached a major milestone on Day 2 of the fifth Test at The Oval, as he completed 200 international wickets. The pacer dismissed England’s Ollie Pope for 22 with a sharp in-swinger that thudded into the pads and was confirmed out via DRS. It was a big breakthrough for India after lunch, giving them much-needed momentum in the session.Siraj’s achievement is a testament to his rise as one of India’s leading fast bowlers across formats in recent years. Debuting in 2017, Siraj has now taken 200 wickets from 101 matches at an average of 29.12, with best bowling figures of 6/15.
His tally includes five five-wicket hauls, with the ability to strike in key moments making him a reliable weapon in India’s pace arsenal.While Siraj endured a tough outing in the fourth Test in Manchester as he gave away 140 runs in 30 overs for just one wicket, he has remained a crucial part of India’s plans.His performance earlier in the series, including a standout 6/70 at Edgbaston, reminded everyone of his match-winning potential.England has proven to be a fruitful venue for the Hyderabad pacer. Across 11 Tests in the country, he has taken 38 wickets, including notable efforts at The Oval and Edgbaston. His last outing at The Oval came during the World Test Championship final against Australia, where he picked up five wickets across both innings.With his inclusion in the playing XI for the 5th Test, Siraj only became the 3rd Indian after Kapil Dev and Vinoo Mankad to feature in all five Tests of an overseas series on three separate occasions and take 10 or more wickets each time.
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Siraj’s latest feat reinforces his status among India’s premier fast bowlers in the modern era. As India looks to level the series 2-2 in London, the team will be banking on his rhythm and aggression to deliver once again. With the pitch showing signs of aiding seamers, the stage is set for more magic from the 31-year-old in the days to come.
