IND vs ENG fifth Test: I bowl each ball for the nation and never for myself: Siraj

Mohammed Siraj wakened at six o’clock within the morning on Monday (August 4, 2025), took out his cellphone and searched on the web for a wallpaper with the phrase ‘consider’ written on it.

The very first thing that he got here throughout was an image of Cristiano Ronaldo within the Manchester United colors. And for the subsequent couple of minutes, he seemed on the image and muttered the phrase ‘consider’ at the very least a few instances.

Once the image made it to his wallpaper, Siraj saved it till reaching The Oval. “I normally get up at 8 o’clock, however at present, I bought up early. So I Googled this image and downloaded it, as a result of I knew I might do it for my nation. It’s necessary to consider in your self,” he mentioned, after claiming a five-for and guiding India to an unimaginable six-run win within the fifth Test.

With Jasprit Bumrah that includes in simply three Tests to handle his workload, Siraj stepped up and backed himself to hold out the function of the senior pacer. Not making a fuss about workload or a fast turnaround time, Siraj bowled 185.3 overs within the sequence — 1,113 deliveries to be particular — and completed because the main wicket-taker of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with 23 scalps.

“To be sincere, my physique is ok proper now. It has been virtually 186 overs on this sequence. But once you play on your nation you give every part and also you don’t take into consideration whether or not you bowled six overs or 9 overs. I consider that I bowl each ball for the nation and never for myself,” Siraj mentioned, including with a smile: “You play for the nation and provides your every part, the remainder shouldn’t be in your management.”

He claimed 20 wickets within the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this yr, offering wonderful help to Bumrah. But main the pack in England, he shone vibrant.

His toes touched the boundary rope whereas making an attempt to catch Harry Brook when the batter was on 19. Brook scored a smashing ton and it seemed just like the match slipping from India’s grasp.

“I didn’t think I’d touch the cushion when I took it. It was a match-changing moment. Brook got into T20 moment. We were behind the game after that but Thank God. I thought the match was gone,” Siraj mentioned.