Manchester: India pacer Mohammed Siraj has lauded England captain Ben Stokes for his lion-hearted performance during the recent Lord’s Test, where Stokes bowled a marathon 24-over spell and picked up three crucial wickets to turn the match in England’s favour. Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Siraj said he admired the determination shown by Stokes and related it to his own drive to give 100% for the country.
“Bowling 10-over spells in a high-pressure game is no joke. Hats off to him,” Siraj said. “The match was finely balanced, and that effort made a real difference. As a bowler, I always aim to give my best and pick up early wickets.”
Stokes’ fiery spell saw him dismiss Akash Deep, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah in the final innings — a performance that also drew admiration from former India cricketer Irfan Pathan, who pointed out that India’s pacers lacked similar impact.
Siraj, who has bowled the most overs among Indian pacers in the series so far — 109 — spoke passionately about the pride and responsibility that comes with wearing the Indian jersey. Despite a grueling workload, he insisted he doesn’t feel burdened.
“Touchwood, I’ve been blessed with good fitness. For me, it’s all about giving my 100 percent every time I step onto the field,” Siraj said. “It’s not just about the overs count in the records — it’s about giving your all for the country so that when you sleep at night, you know you did everything you could, regardless of the result.”
Siraj added, “Representing India gives me strength. I don’t want any regrets, and that’s what drives me every day.”
India, trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, face an uphill task in the fourth Test with injuries piling up. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out for the remainder of the tour due to a knee injury sustained during a gym session. Arshdeep Singh is also out of the fourth Test with a cut on his bowling arm, while Akash Deep remains uncertain due to a groin niggle.
When asked about team selection and whether Kuldeep Yadav could be included in Manchester, Siraj remained non-committal. “Honestly, I just came from the training session, and I’m unaware of the final combination. Whatever it is, I hope it’s the best one for the team,” he said.
With Jasprit Bumrah missing a Test due to workload management and others struggling with injuries, Siraj has been India’s most consistent pace option this series. He has claimed 13 wickets, including a six-wicket haul at Edgbaston.
“Fitness-wise, I thank God for keeping me healthy. Workload is there, and yes, the science around it matters. But my mindset is simple — take the opportunity and help India win,” he said.
