Last Chance For Mohammed Siraj To Save His Place In Tests; Here's What The Numbers Tell

Siraj's place under threat? [Source: AP Photo]

The wait is almost over as the India vs England second Test match is just around the corner. The match will be played at the iconic Edgbaston, Birmingham and India will have nightmares heading into the venue as the Asian Giant has never won a single Test at the venue and will look to break the jinx.

The biggest problem for India heading into Edgbaston

The team has plenty of problems heading into the match, including the poor fielding standards set in the first game of the series. However, the biggest problem was the wayward and lacklustre bowling by the Indian pacers, barring Jasprit Bumrah. 

The bowling attack lacked the cutting edge as England managed to chase down 371 runs, their second-highest successful chase in Test cricket. While Bumrah picked up a fifer in the first innings, the others looked wayward as the team management had plenty to think about. One major problem for the Shubman Gill side is the form of pacer, Mohammed Siraj.

The pacer has looked out of sorts and he needs to regroup in the second Test or else his place in the team could be in danger.

Siraj's Test slump, a worry for India

Siraj was always touted as the workhorse of the Indian team and when Bumrah was not there, the pacer carried the Indian attack on his back. However, since the start of 2024, Siraj has looked out of touch as the opponent tends to get under his skin. His Test numbers have gone down and this has created a headache for the Indian team.

(Siraj Test stats in 2024-25)

As the table suggests, Siraj has been woefully out of form and the numbers tell the story. In 2024, he played 13 matches and took 35 wickets at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 51. The numbers also say that in 2025, he got worse with an average of 48 and a strike rate of 69.

The trademark Siraj is lost and the zip is missing as he has become an ordinary bowler in red-ball cricket and the batters are enjoying taking him down.

Does India have a potential Siraj replacement?

In India, there is no shortage of quality bowlers. Yes, Siraj will be given a longer rope in the ongoing series but if he fails to deliver the goods, the team has a couple of replacements ready.

Harshit Rana

• Offers a different variety as compared to Siraj. Is more of a hit the deck bowler and could be a long-term option for India if groomed properly. Harshit Rana can be brilliant on pitches with more bounce as he can extract it.

Mukesh Kumar

• Almost a like-to-like replacement, Mukesh Kumar has all the tools to succeed at the highest level. He has a decent pace and can move the ball both ways. In 3 Tests, he has 7 wickets and the Bengal pacer has already shown glimpses with the red-ball during the West Indies tour in 2023.

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