In the annals of Indian cricket, few stories resonate with the raw passion and relentless determination of Mohammed Siraj’s journey during the India tour of England in 2025. The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, a five-match Test series that culminated in a thrilling 2-2 draw, showcased Siraj’s transformation from a supporting act to India’s bowling spearhead. His ability to play all five Tests, bowl 185.3 overs, and claim 23 wickets—the highest in the series—was no stroke of luck. It was the result of meticulous preparation, mental fortitude, and a burning desire to prove himself after being overlooked for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad. Former India strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai revealed the pivotal moment that ignited Siraj’s resolve, a story that began months before he set foot on English soil.
The Spark of Determination
The seeds of Siraj’s monumental performance were sown in February 2025, when he was unexpectedly excluded from India’s Champions Trophy squad. Despite taking 20 wickets at an average of 31 in the preceding Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Siraj found himself on the sidelines, a decision that could have broken a lesser spirit. Instead, it became the catalyst for his extraordinary campaign in England. As Desai shared on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, the conversation that galvanized Siraj occurred immediately after the Champions Trophy snub. “Siraj played five Tests. He didn’t land in London and plan that he would play five Tests. When he was not picked for the Champions Trophy, the conversation took place then itself,” Desai recounted.
Desai, who served as India’s strength and conditioning coach from November 2021 to May 2025, revealed that he told Siraj, “Today it may feel like a setback, but when you win in England, then you will remember you started training from then so you could play five.” This conversation marked the beginning of a rigorous preparation plan tailored to ensure Siraj could endure the grueling demands of a five-Test series. The goal was clear: transform Siraj into a bowler capable of shouldering India’s pace attack, especially in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah for two of the Tests due to workload management.
Building the Body for Battle
Siraj’s ability to bowl 185.3 overs across five Tests was a testament to his physical conditioning, a process that Desai meticulously oversaw. Unlike the modern trend of prioritizing workload management, Siraj’s preparation focused on building resilience to handle the relentless schedule of Test cricket. Desai explained that the plan wasn’t about short-term gains but a long-term vision to increase Siraj’s capacity to bowl long spells without compromising pace or accuracy. “His body was built from that moment forward to take the stress of playing five Tests,” Desai noted, highlighting the difference between Siraj’s conditioning and that of Bumrah, whose unique bowling action and injury history required a different approach.
The physical transformation was complemented by Siraj’s performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, where he picked up 16 wickets, starting the season with a memorable dismissal of Rohit Sharma. This success wasn’t just about wickets; it was about proving to himself that he could compete at the highest level. The IPL served as a testing ground for the endurance and mental toughness he would need in England. Siraj’s resolve to “do anything for cricket,” as he later expressed, was evident in his tireless work ethic, both on and off the field.
The Mental Game: Belief Over Doubt
While physical preparation laid the foundation, Siraj’s mental resilience was the cornerstone of his success. The fifth Test at The Oval, where India clinched a dramatic six-run victory to level the series, encapsulated his unyielding spirit. On the final morning, with England needing just 35 runs and India requiring four wickets, Siraj woke up with a fire in his belly. “When I woke up this morning, I told myself I would change the game,” he said after being named Player of the Match. To fuel his determination, he downloaded an image with the word “believe” and set it as his phone wallpaper—a small but symbolic act of self-motivation.
This mindset shift was critical. Siraj had faced heartbreak earlier in the series, notably when he dropped a catch of Harry Brook, who went on to score a century that nearly cost India the match. Reflecting on that moment, Siraj admitted, “After yesterday’s incident, I thought the match was gone.” Yet, his ability to channel disappointment into determination defined his performance on Day 5. He bowled with relentless aggression, delivering a match-winning spell of 5 for 104, including a searing 143 kph yorker to dismiss Gus Atkinson and seal the victory.
The Art of Bowling: Skill Meets Instinct
Siraj’s bowling in the fifth Test was a masterclass in adaptability and instinct. With an 80-over-old ball, he conjured swing and seam movement that baffled England’s batsmen. His plan was simple yet devastating: bowl consistently at one spot, mixing outswingers with wobble-seam deliveries to keep the batsmen guessing. “I didn’t want to try too much because that could have released the pressure,” he explained. This disciplined approach, honed under the guidance of Desai and India’s coaching staff, allowed Siraj to exploit the overcast conditions and the pitch’s seam-friendly nature.
His ability to swing the ball both ways, particularly with an old ball, drew accusations of ball tampering from former Pakistan pacer Shabbir Ahmed, who claimed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna used Vaseline to maintain the ball’s shine. These allegations were swiftly dismissed, with Siraj’s skill and the pitch’s natural assistance credited for his success. His wobble-seam delivery, a nod to his mentor Jasprit Bumrah, trapped Jamie Overton lbw, while his outswingers accounted for Jamie Smith and others, turning the tide in India’s favor.
The Emotional Core of India’s Campaign
Siraj’s journey in England was more than a statistical triumph; it was an emotional odyssey. As India Today noted, “Siraj was the emotional core of India’s campaign. The man who turned exhaustion into energy.” His passion for Test cricket, in an era dominated by T20 leagues and workload concerns, was a throwback to an earlier age. “Cricket is my first love. I can do anything for it. My passion, my dedication—whenever I don’t perform or we lose, it hurts,” Siraj said, his words resonating with fans and teammates alike.
This emotional intensity was evident in his celebrations, none more iconic than his Ronaldo-style “SIUU” after dismissing Atkinson. Sprinting across The Oval with arms outstretched, Siraj embodied the heart of a lion, a sentiment echoed by former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who tweeted, “Iron body with heart of a Lion. Mohammed Siraj.”
A Legacy in the Making
Siraj’s performance in England marked a turning point in his career. Once seen as a workhorse in the shadow of Bumrah, he emerged as a leader capable of winning matches on his own. Former England spinner Monty Panesar noted, “Shubman Gill’s greatest achievement from the Test series against England is that India can now win matches without Jasprit Bumrah.” Siraj’s 23 wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the final Test, underscored his evolution into India’s go-to bowler.
His journey also highlighted the importance of preparation and mentorship. Desai’s role in building Siraj’s physical and mental resilience cannot be overstated. The former coach’s departure from the Indian team in May 2025, shortly after the Champions Trophy, was met with a heartfelt tribute from Siraj, who credited Desai for keeping him fit and focused. “What an honour and privilege it’s been to serve Indian Cricket over the years,” Desai wrote on Instagram, a sentiment Siraj echoed in his farewell note.
The Road Ahead
As Siraj takes a well-deserved break, with no involvement in the upcoming Duleep Trophy or Asia Cup, his focus remains on Test cricket. His exclusion from India’s white-ball setup, including the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, has only fueled his hunger to dominate the longest format. “Siraj once again is out of the picture for India’s white-ball team at the Asia Cup, but given the evidence of this summer, the expectation can only be to see Siraj return as a faster, stronger, better bowler,” noted Hindustan Times.
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will be remembered as one of the greatest Test series, not just for its thrilling finish but for the emergence of Mohammed Siraj as a cricketing titan. His journey from a Hyderabad scooter-rider to India’s match-winner at The Oval is a story of grit, belief, and unrelenting passion. As Virat Kohli put it, “Special mention to Siraj who will put everything on the line for the team. Extremely happy for him.” With the cricketing world now chanting “I am only believe on Miya Bhai,” Siraj’s legacy is only just beginning.
