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‘It Was Heartbreaking’: Mohammed Siraj Reflects on Gut-Wrenching Lord’s Test Finale
Siraj Opens Up About His Emotional Test Match Experience
India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has spoken candidly about the heartbreak he experienced during the closing moments of the Lord’s Test, where India came agonizingly close to pulling off a miraculous escape. The final wicket partnership between Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja had revived hopes of a dramatic draw or even a miracle win, but it all ended in a moment of cruel irony — a middled forward defence that spun back off the pitch and dislodged the stumps.
India’s No. 11 stood hunched over his bat, stunned, and dejected. It was a visual that captured the essence of not just the defeat, but the emotional and physical toll of Test cricket. “To get out after middling the ball… it was heartbreaking,” Siraj recalled.
Battling Beyond Expectations in a Slow-Burn Thriller
From 80-Run Defeat to Final Hour Drama
India seemed destined for a heavy loss at one point, trailing by nearly 80 runs, but the tide turned through a gritty final session. “We didn’t expect to take it past Tea,” Siraj said. “But me and Jaddu bhai kept fighting. We believed we could hang in. That belief made it even more painful.”
The pair battled for 64 minutes and 29 deliveries, inching closer to a potential escape. But when Shoaib Bashir’s overspun delivery knocked back Siraj’s stumps, India’s resistance was finally over.
👉 Related Read: India’s Top Test Partnerships That Defied Defeat
Siraj’s Bowling: Persistence Over Praise
Despite the emotional setback, Siraj’s bowling performance throughout the series has been commendable. While the spotlight has largely been on Jasprit Bumrah and his workload, Siraj has silently shouldered a massive load, bowling over 109 overs across the three Tests so far and featuring in 24 of India’s last 27 Tests.
“I have been bowling well, beating the bat, drawing edges, doing everything. But wickets haven’t always come,” Siraj admitted. One such spell came against Joe Root at Lord’s, where despite repeated probing deliveries, he couldn’t break through.
But Siraj’s philosophy is grounded in patience. “If I go searching for wickets, I’ll leak runs. So I stick to my plan, stay consistent. Even if I don’t get the wicket, someone else might because of the pressure I build.”
Faith Over Frustration
Siraj also credited his faith for helping him stay mentally composed. “Upar wala dekh raha hai,” he said, referring to divine support. “He has brought me this far. He’ll take me ahead too.”
That level-headedness reflects in how he handles disappointment: “I don’t get irritated when I don’t get wickets. The job is to keep bowling good balls. Results will come.”
Focus on Fitness, Not Fatigue
Bowling Load Isn’t a Burden
While most discussions around player workload revolve around Bumrah, Siraj’s contribution and endurance have been no less significant. But the Hyderabad pacer refuses to let the numbers affect his mindset.
“Yes, the books say Siraj has bowled this many overs, but I see each match as an opportunity,” he said. “I just want to give my 100 percent. Win or lose, I should feel at night that I gave everything.”
This relentless drive, combined with discipline and belief, has made Siraj one of India’s most dependable Test bowlers in recent times — a fact echoed in his match-winning spells overseas and at home.
🌐 Mohammed Siraj Player Profile – ESPNcricinfo
Eyes on the Future, Heart Still at Lord’s
As India gears up for the final stretch of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Mohammed Siraj remains a beacon of resilience, responsibility, and realism. His mental strength and physical consistency have made him a cornerstone of India’s Test squad. With two more Tests to go, Siraj’s hunger to deliver hasn’t dimmed, and he is ready to shoulder the load again — for the team, for the fans, and for the dream that lives on beyond Lord’s.
