Mohammed Siraj’s Selfless Act to Teammate Akash Deep Revealed

Despite batting-friendly conditions at Edgbaston and the absence of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep rose to the occasion. England was rocked by the successive wickets of in-form batters Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, followed by Zak Crawley‘s dismissal. To add to their woes, on the third day, the early wickets of Joe Root and Ben Stokes put the Three Lions in a precarious position.

However, the home side found their way back into the match, thanks to a brilliant 303-run sixth-wicket partnership between Jamie Smith and vice-captain Harry Brook. While these two England batters did scare the Indian side for a while, Siraj and Akash Deep managed to turn the tides around with some quick wickets later on. Siraj claimed a six-wicket haul, while Deep ended with career best figures of 4/88. 

For Akash Deep, it marked his first four-wicket haul in Test cricket. He however, missed the chance to tear through England’s vulnerable lower-order and claim his maiden Test five-wicket haul. Interestingly, the opportunity to get his name etched in history books was presented to Deep by his bowling partner, Mohammed Siraj, who elegantly secured his second six-wicket haul in Test cricket. Siraj quipped:

I told Akash [Deep] that my four deliveries are left, I can bowl them outside off. He said no brother, take the wicket. No issues. If it’s in my fate, I will get it.

Speaking to BCCI TV, Siraj revealed a selfless offer he made to Akash Deep. After completing his five-wicket haul in the 90th over, the 31-year-old pacer proposed that he would not target the stumps for the remaining balls.

However, Siraj disclosed that Akash Deep declined the generous offer, stating he would reach the milestone on his own. Siraj added he would have been overjoyed if Deep had taken a fifer, as he noted a bowler’s first five-wicket haul is an unforgettable moment:

If both of us had taken a five-for, I would have given this ball to Akash Deep because first five-wicket haul is one for the memories. My first fifer was in Australia and it was memorable.

Siraj recalled his own maiden five-wicket haul in Brisbane back in 2021, against Australia. He also praised Akash Deep’s abilities and work ethic, describing him as a “horse”. Meanwhile, the duo made history, helping India become the first team to dismiss six English batters for a duck in a single Test innings.

Arshdeep Singh Teases Mohammed Siraj with ‘Jassi Bhai’ Remark After Edgbaston Heroics

Indian fast bowler Arshdeep Singh aimed a cheeky dig at teammate Mohammed Siraj, after the latter claimed an impressive six-wicket haul in the second Test against England, at Edgbaston. Siraj brought India back into the match, in the final session of the third day of play.

After Siraj picked up his fourth five-wicket haul for India in red-ball cricket, his interview with BCCI TV was surprisingly interrupted by Arshdeep Singh with a playful remark. Singh stated that Siraj should change one of his iconic dialogues ‘I only believe in Jassi (Jasprit Bumrah) bhai’, after his Edgbaston display. He suggested that it should be changed to ‘I only believe in myself and Jassi (Bumrah) bhai’.

Mohammed Siraj famously uttered this line following India’s 2024 ICC T20 World Cup final victory. He expressed his deep admiration for Jasprit Bumrah and his trust in the star bowler’s game-changing abilities. This quote quickly went viral among fans and became a source of humorous memes.