While everyone’s talking about Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness, there’s another Indian fast bowler quietly carrying the weight of the nation’s bowling attack on his shoulders. Mohammed Siraj has become the backbone of India’s pace arsenal, and according to assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, it’s time we start paying attention to his workload management.
Why Mohammed Siraj Has Become India’s Most Reliable Weapon
Picture this: You’re watching India play, Bumrah’s sitting out with an injury concern, and suddenly all eyes turn to one man – Mohammed Siraj. The 31-year-old has transformed from a promising talent to India’s go-to fast bowler when the chips are down. He’s not just filling in; he’s leading from the front with the kind of intensity that makes spectators lean forward in their seats.
Siraj has been present in every single Test match of this challenging England tour. That’s not just impressive – it’s superhuman when you consider the physical demands of fast bowling. While other bowlers rotate in and out, Siraj keeps showing up, ball after ball, over after over.
The Numbers That Tell a Concerning Story
Let’s talk about what Siraj’s body has been through during this England series. He’s already sent down 109 overs, which breaks down to roughly 18 overs per innings. For context, that’s like running a half-marathon every few days, except you’re sprinting at full intensity for each delivery.
What These Statistics Really Mean for a Fast Bowler
When you’re bowling 18 overs in an innings, you’re not just throwing a ball around. Every delivery requires explosive movement, precise control, and mental focus that would exhaust most people after just a few attempts. Multiply that by the pressure of representing your country, and you begin to understand what Siraj endures every time he takes the field.
The concerning part? If Siraj continues at this pace throughout the five-Test series, he could end up bowling over 170 overs. That’s a workload that could break even the strongest athletes.
Ten Doeschate Speaks from the Heart About Siraj’s Character
Ryan ten Doeschate’s recent comments about Mohammed Siraj weren’t just technical analysis – they came from genuine admiration. When he described Siraj as having “the heart of a lion,” he wasn’t using cricket commentary clichés. He was describing someone who embodies everything you’d want in a teammate.
“Every time he has the ball in hand, it feels like something will happen,” ten Doeschate explained. That’s not about statistics or bowling averages – that’s about presence, about the kind of energy that can shift momentum in crucial moments.
The Lion-Hearted Approach That Defines Siraj
What makes Siraj special isn’t just his bowling ability. It’s his willingness to charge in when the team needs him most, even when the wickets aren’t falling and the batsmen seem comfortable. He never gives up, never stops trying, and never shies away from the hard work that fast bowling demands.
Ten Doeschate highlighted something crucial: “He may not always get the results in terms of wickets, but he has the heart of a lion.” This perfectly captures why Siraj has become so valuable to Indian cricket. Sometimes the most important contributions aren’t reflected in the scorebook.
The Delicate Balance: Performance vs. Preservation
Here’s where things get complicated for the Indian team management. Siraj is clearly their most reliable pace option when Bumrah isn’t available. But pushing him too hard could lead to the same injury concerns that currently sideline Bumrah.
The comparison with Bumrah’s recent workload is telling. Bumrah bowled 151 overs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy before getting injured in the final Test at Sydney. Siraj bowled 156 overs in that same series, and his effectiveness noticeably decreased as the tour progressed.
What Happens When the Main Gun Needs Rest?
If India decides to rest Mohammed Siraj, they’re looking at some interesting but uncertain options. Arshdeep Singh has been waiting for his Test debut, but a hand injury during practice has raised fitness concerns. Then there’s Prasidh Krishna, who hasn’t quite found his rhythm in the opportunities he’s had so far.
This isn’t just about having backup players – it’s about maintaining the intensity and reliability that Siraj brings to every spell. Finding someone who can match his work ethic and never-say-die attitude isn’t easy.
The Bigger Picture for Indian Cricket’s Future
Mohammed Siraj’s current situation highlights a broader challenge facing modern cricket teams. How do you balance the immediate needs of important series with the long-term health and career of your key players?
The India vs England series is crucial, with major implications for World Test Championship standings and team confidence. But pushing Siraj to his physical limits now could mean losing him for future tours and series.
Learning from Past Mistakes
The cricketing world has seen too many promising careers shortened by overuse. Fast bowlers, in particular, are vulnerable to the cumulative effects of excessive workload. India’s management team clearly understands this, which is why ten Doeschate’s comments about workload management aren’t just casual observations – they’re strategic planning.
What makes this situation more complex is Siraj’s own attitude. Players like him, who have the “heart of a lion,” often want to keep playing even when their bodies are sending warning signals. Sometimes the hardest part of sports management is protecting athletes from their own dedication.
Why This Matters to Every Cricket Fan
As fans, we love watching players like Mohammed Siraj give everything for their team. His aggressive bowling, his never-give-up attitude, and his ability to create something from nothing make cricket exciting. But we also want to see these players have long, successful careers.
The balance between immediate success and long-term sustainability isn’t just a team management issue – it’s something that affects how we experience and enjoy the sport. When we lose quality players to preventable injuries, everyone suffers.
Ten Doeschate’s focus on Siraj’s workload management shows that India’s cricket team is thinking beyond just the current series. They’re planning for a future where Mohammed Siraj can continue being the reliable, lion-hearted bowler who steps up when his team needs him most.
