In the modern era of Indian cricket, few fast bowlers have captured the imagination of fans quite like Mohammed Siraj. From the streets of Hyderabad to becoming India’s spearhead in overseas conditions, Siraj’s rise has been nothing short of inspirational.
During the 2025 India–England Test series, Siraj achieved a historic milestone — surpassing Jasprit Bumrah to become India’s leading wicket-taker in away Test matches since his debut. The achievement is a testament to his relentless work ethic, ability to adapt to foreign pitches, and never-say-die attitude.
The Road to the Milestone
When Siraj made his Test debut in December 2020 against Australia, he was far from a household name. Within weeks, his fierce spells at the Gabba Test helped India clinch a historic series win. Since then, he has toured Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies, and Bangladesh — delivering match-winning performances time and again.
By the end of the 2025 England tour, Siraj’s tally of overseas wickets had gone past Bumrah’s record, placing him at the top among Indian fast bowlers in away Tests during this period.
Standout Performances in Overseas Conditions
Gabba, Brisbane (2021) – 5/73 in the second innings to seal a historic series win.
Lord’s, London (2021) – Twin four-wicket hauls in a feisty contest.
Centurion, South Africa (2023) – Early breakthroughs setting the tone.
The Oval, London (2025) – 9 wickets in the match, leading India to a dramatic 6-run win.
Why Siraj Thrives Abroad
Several factors have contributed to Siraj’s exceptional overseas success:
Unwavering Aggression – Always bowling with intent and energy.
Relentless Accuracy – Hitting the same spot over after over, forcing mistakes.
Reverse Swing Skills – Especially lethal with the old ball in dry overseas conditions.
Fitness & Workload Management – Bowling over 185 overs in the 2025 England series without a dip in intensity.
Praise from Cricket Legends
Sachin Tendulkar called him “a warrior who gives his all for the team.”
Wasim Akram praised Siraj’s “gold-standard” overseas spells, saying he is “leading the Indian attack with maturity.”
Shubman Gill credited Siraj’s aggression and leadership for lifting the entire bowling unit.
Overcoming Challenges
Siraj’s career has not been without hurdles:
Faced criticism after an indifferent 2024 season.
Dealt with dropped catches and trolling in early 2025.
Bounced back with match-winning performances, showing incredible mental toughness.
Siraj vs. Bumrah: The Overseas Wicket Race
While Bumrah is still India’s pace spearhead across formats, Siraj’s consistent performances abroad have given him an edge in red-ball cricket. This healthy rivalry is only pushing both bowlers to greater heights, strengthening India’s fast-bowling legacy.
What’s Next for Siraj?
With tours of Australia and South Africa coming up, Siraj has the chance to extend his lead as India’s overseas wicket-taker. If his current form continues, he could well challenge the all-time Indian record for most away Test wickets.
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