India pacer Mohammed Siraj’s lion-hearted effort during the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England continues to earn him plaudits.
Siraj put his body on the line and played all five games in the hard-fought series, finishing as the leading wicket-taker. His grit was evident in the 1113 deliveries he bowled, picking up 23 wickets at an average of 32.43.
When India needed crucial wickets, Siraj stepped up, often stretching his spells to ensure smoother rotation. With Jasprit Bumrah playing only three Tests to manage his workload, the 31-year-old took on the mantle of leading India’s pace attack.
On Tuesday (October 7), former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson heaped praise on Siraj, citing that latter’s dedication to a team-first mentality distinguishes him from others.
“I got to know him early in his career before he represented India, observing his talent as a young cricketer for Sunrisers in the IPL," Williamson was quoted as saying at the CEAT Cricket Awards in Mumbai.
“What sets him apart is his relentless commitment to putting the team first and his desire to take the ball, even when the game might not be moving. He always wants to be the player who changes the game by bowling long spells, and this attitude is contagious within the team, demonstrating strong leadership qualities."
Williamson drew parallels between Siraj and former New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner, who had an unwavering presence for the Kiwis, especially in Test cricket.
“In New Zealand, we had a similar presence in Neil Wagner, who would always take on challenges without backing down and could steady the team’s nerves. Mohammed Siraj embodies that spirit," he said.
In a landmark decision signalling the start of a new era, the Indian selectors on Saturday (October 4) removed Rohit Sharma from ODI captaincy and passed over the baton to young opener Shubman Gill, with the 2027 World Cup firmly in sight.
Gill was also appointed India’s Test skipper following Rohit's retirement in May 2025. Moreover, the 26-year-old currently serves as the deputy to Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is.
Williamson expressed confidence in Gill’s leadership qualities while also adding that the 26-year-old will need to brace himself for the “ups and downs" of the role.
“Leadership demands a lot of energy and clear focus on where you dedicate your time, not just as captain but in the various roles that come with leadership," Williamson said.
“Naturally, you can’t take on everything indefinitely; there’s a timeframe for doing the job before passing the baton. I experienced that with New Zealand, whether over five or ten years, people take on that responsibility and then it’s about transition and the next phase."
“Shubman has excellent leadership qualities, and I’m sure he’s eager to contribute and make a big impact on Indian cricket."
“We witnessed an impressive Test series in England at the start of his captaincy, which was a huge challenge with a young team in tough conditions.
“Naturally, a young star with strong leadership traits will take on more responsibility, and this is a great time for him. He’ll enjoy it, but like all leadership roles, it comes with ups and downs – that’s part of the job," Williamson added.
(With inputs from Agencies)
