Mohammed Siraj was at the heart of India’s dramatic six-run win against England in the fifth and final Test at The Oval, helping the visitors square the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series 2-2. The Hyderabadi pacer claimed a stunning five-wicket haul in the second innings, cleaning up England’s tail with relentless energy and precision.
Hyderabad’s Finest Draws Praise from Home
The performance did not go unnoticed back home. Asaduddin Owaisi, Member of Parliament from Hyderabad and AIMIM chief, praised Siraj with a distinct local flavour. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
“Always a winner @mdsirajofficial! As we say in Hyderabadi, poora khol diye Pasha!”
The phrase, a colloquial expression from Hyderabad, roughly translates to “he completely blew them away.”
Siraj, known for his grounded nature and emotional connection to his roots, responded warmly:
“Thank you so much sir. Always cheering for me.”
Moeen Ali Calls Him ‘A Big-Hearted Match-Winner’
Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali also hailed Siraj’s impact throughout the series.
“He’s got a big heart and never backs down. The energy, aggression, and consistency he brings is world-class,” Moeen said in a release by GFS Developments.
Siraj bowled over 185 overs across five Tests and ended as the leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets, earning the Player of the Match award at The Oval.
A New Chapter for India and Siraj
The series marked a generational shift for Indian cricket as Shubman Gill led the side following the Test retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Gill, too, shone brightly—bagging the Player of the Series title for his stellar run with the bat.
The five-match thriller also saw the inaugural edition of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, replacing the traditional Pataudi and Anthony de Mello trophies.
For Mohammed Siraj, it was more than just a personal milestone—it was a defining moment that cemented his place as India’s pace spearhead in the post-Bumrah era.
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