Mohammed Siraj returned with four wickets in England's first innings of the Rajkot Test.
After the second day’s play, the hosts suffered a big setback as senior off-spinner R Ashwin withdrew from the Rajkot Test due to a family medical emergency. In Ashwin’s absence, India needed other bowlers to share the workload and Siraj stepped up to the plate like no other.
The right-arm quick returned with four wickets (4/84) on a flat pitch as India bundled out the visitors for 319 to take a substantial first-innings lead of 126 runs.
Siraj’s spell included two stunning yorkers, which was the main topic of discussion in a video released by the BCCI.
"Rohit bhai told that 'you will have to bowl a long spell today as we are a bowler short. So I told him, I'm always ready for a long spell. I enjoy long spells because then I am able to pick up wickets," Siraj stated
Reflecting on his two Yorkers to dismiss Rehan Ahmed and James Anderson, Siraj said he didn't realise that the English batters had been bowled and was appealing for LBW.
"I appealed because the ball was going low and I thought it had hit the pads. But then Sarfaraz came in and said 'no, he has been bowled.'" said Siraj.
Anderson's wicket was similar to the delivery Siraj had bowled in the famous Lord's Test win in 2021. The pacer said that it was different this time as he was looking for a yorker.
Siraj continued by saying that dismissing any batter with a yorker gives him confidence, especially in the longest format of the game.
"It is different from the Lord's wicket. I was trying to bowl a yorker," Siraj said.
"As a fast bowler, it feels good to get some bowled, because caught and getting out on a short pitched ball is different. But when you get a wicket off a yorker, it gives you confidence and makes you feel proud. Especially when you bowl a yorker in Test cricket," he further remarked.
Coming to the match, India reached 196/2 at the close of play on Day 3, extending their lead to 322 runs. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal starred with the bat, scoring 104 off 133 balls before retiring hurt due to back spasms.