Mohammed Siraj’s first session in the opening Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens didn’t go to plan. He struggled with rhythm, conceding runs early on, while his partner Jasprit Bumrah dominated from the other end. After nine overs, Siraj’s figures stood at 0 for 43, and there was talk of replacing him with a spinner. Despite the uneven beginning, Siraj sensed an opportunity if he could just continue — but needed persuasion to make it happen.
The Plea That Turned the Game
Recognizing the importance of momentum, Siraj made a bold request to India’s captain, Shubman Gill: “Bas ek over de de … aur usi over mein do wicket mil gaye (Please give me one more over … and I got a couple of wickets),” he told broadcasters with a broad smile after play. Gill agreed, even though he had been planning to bring on a spinner.
In that very over, Siraj struck twice — first trapping Kyle Verreynne in front of the stumps with a sharp nip-backer, and then breaching Marco Jansen’s defense with an in-dipper on the fourth ball. That surge changed the course of the day for India’s bowling attack.
Backing from Bumrah & Strategic Execution
Siraj credited his turnaround not just to the extra over, but also to crucial advice from his senior pace partner. He said that Bumrah encouraged him to “attack the stumps,” reminding him that good line and length could lead to LBWs, bowled dismissals, or even catches. With that in mind, Siraj sharpened his focus and applied pressure by pitching fuller. As per Siraj, “The new ball came onto the bat nicely. The older ball was keeping low, so I attacked the stumps and built pressure.”
He added that once the ball started reversing, scoring became more difficult — especially given a leg-side field — and that the margin for error narrowed. Siraj ended up bowling 12 overs in total, finishing with figures of 2 for 47, while Bumrah ran riot with a five-wicket haul (5 for 27). That burst from Siraj, backed by experience and a bit of faith from his captain, clearly shifted the momentum in India’s favor.
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