India’s fiery pacer Mohammed Siraj opened up about the emotional and physical grind of returning to Test cricket on home soil after nearly a year, and how each wicket in the recent series against the West Indies felt as rewarding as a five-wicket haul. Bowling with heart and hustle, Siraj delivered 49 relentless overs across two Tests in Ahmedabad and Delhi, finishing with 10 wickets to his name, just behind Kuldeep Yadav, who topped the charts with 12.
Siraj’s impact wasn’t just about the numbers – it was about the effort behind them. In Ahmedabad, where conditions offered something for the quicks, he made full use of the assistance. But in Delhi, where the pitch was largely unresponsive with just patches of grass, Siraj had to dig deep. It was on that flat deck that he showcased his resilience, picking up three hard-earned wickets that, to him, felt as satisfying as a five-for.
“This series went really well for me,” Siraj shared in a video posted by the BCCI. “In Ahmedabad, there was help for fast bowlers. But in Delhi, we had to bowl long spells. Every wicket felt like a five-wicket haul because when you toil hard and finally get a breakthrough, the joy is on another level.”
For his consistent performances and influence on the game, Siraj was named India’s ‘Impact Player of the Series’ – an accolade that clearly meant a lot to the 31-year-old. As he stepped up to collect his medal, his teammates broke into Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic “Siu” celebration, filling the dressing room with laughter and applause.
“It feels great when your effort is recognized in the dressing room,” Siraj said, smiling. “Winning the Impact Player award boosts your confidence and gives you happiness that’s hard to describe.”
But beyond the recognition and accolades, what truly drives Siraj is his love for Test cricket. The Hyderabad speedster reiterated his passion for the longest format, describing it as the ultimate test of a cricketer’s mettle.
“My favourite format is Test cricket,” he declared. “It challenges you – mentally and physically – across the entire day. But that’s what makes it so special. When you perform in Tests, the pride and satisfaction are different. It’s a lot of fun, and I want to keep pushing myself to deliver these kinds of performances again.”
With his trademark aggression, infectious energy, and ever-growing skill set, Mohammed Siraj continues to cement his place as one of India’s most dependable fast bowlers in red-ball cricket and someone who thrives when the going gets tough.
