
Boria Majumdar
It was match day minus two and the Indian players were just about finishing their net session. It was an intense few hours and almost all the bowlers except Jasprit Bumrah had gone flat out. Mohammed Siraj had just finished his stint and was walking back to the change room to get into his batting gear and come and knock a few. That’s when we bumped into each other. It is well known that Siraj and I share a very good rapport. We exchanged normal pleasantries and gave each other a hug.
That’s when Siraj started. It was as if he had it all inside. “Have been reading and hearing a lot of things dada. So much is being said. I need one more opportunity. Just wait and see in this Test match. I will make each one of you proud and show what I can do.” He stopped for a while, as I said to him that it will be essential for India he does so and indeed he can.
“Support kijiyega. Aap always support karte ho. Need that support. And don’t lose faith. It is time each one of us stepped up as a team. This is our Test match. You wait and see,” he said.
In the absence of Bumrah, Siraj needed to step up and lead the attack. He did exactly that. Two wickets at the start of the day had set the tone. Even when the others had gone for runs, Siraj was tight. The Ben Stokes delivery in the morning was literally unplayable. It thudded into his hands and the England captain had little chance to do anything but glove it.
And then, it was all about the second new ball. England were batting superbly after the two early blows and India were desperate for a wicket. In our tea time live, I got a lot of flak for saying ‘wait for the second new ball for that’s when things will start to happen’. Good for me, it happened exactly as predicted. Akash Deep opened the door with the wicket of Harry Brook and then it was all Siraj.

It was a burst to remember, as he picked up the last three in no time and made a statement. Like at the Gabba, where he had picked a fifer in the absence of Bumrah, he has gone one better here and scalped six. His lion hearted effort has given India a lead of 180 runs and in many ways, has set the game up. Siraj has stayed true to his promise. Now, it is on the batters to give India a strong platform for Siraj and his colleagues to close things out on Day 5.
It is possible. Make no mistake, it is possible. With Siraj leading the attack, there is reason to believe he will yet again fulfil his promise.