New Delhi, India – In the wake of India’s thrilling 2-2 Test series draw against England, legendary former India captain Kapil Dev has bypassed the prodigious Shubman Gill, who had a sensational series with the bat and as the new captain, to name a 31-year-old pacer as the true hero for India. According to Dev, it is Mohammed Siraj who deserves the most accolades for his instrumental role in securing the historic draw.
Siraj: The Unsung Hero
Despite Shubman Gill’s remarkable performance, scoring 754 runs as the most by any Indian captain in a single Test series, Kapil Dev highlighted Mohammed Siraj’s gritty and impactful bowling throughout the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Siraj emerged as the top wicket-taker in the series, scalping 23 wickets, and was the only fast bowler across both sides to feature in all five Test matches.
Leading the Attack in Bumrah’s Absence
Kapil Dev emphasized Siraj’s courage in leading the Indian bowling attack, particularly in the absence of premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah for a part of the series. “Siraj is a real hero. The good thing is that he did not try to do anything extraordinary. He simply kept the ball in the right areas, especially around off stump and success followed. Siraj was leading the bowling attack in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, and he did it courageously. Indian cricket needs more Sirajs,” Kapil Dev was quoted as saying by Mid-Day.
Siraj’s Match-Winning Performance in the Decider
Siraj’s heroics were particularly evident in the final Test at The Oval, where he picked up a magnificent nine wickets, including a crucial five-wicket haul in the fourth innings. This stellar performance was pivotal in helping India snatch a thrilling six-run victory and level the series. Kapil Dev praised Siraj’s temperament, noting his ability to bounce back strong even after dropping a crucial catch on Day Four of the final Test. “Siraj was in high spirits and lifted the entire team on that last day… Siraj dropped a catch on Day Four, yet he bowled his best after that. That’s a rare and great quality. He never looked under pressure,” Dev added.
A Message on Resilience
Kapil Dev also underscored the team’s fighting spirit, stating, “England needed 35 runs and India needed four wickets. This was the situation on the morning of Day Five and we plucked all four wickets. We may not speak better English, but our team has proved that speaking English is not necessary when it comes to winning a cricket match.” His words highlighted the sheer determination and performance-driven mindset of the Indian side.
