Star pacer Mohammed Siraj recently opened up about the heartbreaking moment that ended India’s hopes of a famous win at Lord’s during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in 2025. Despite his brilliant all-round effort and a fighting last-wicket stand with Ravindra Jadeja, Siraj’s unlucky dismissal on Day 5 of the third Test against England led to the hosts clinching a narrow win. The Hyderabad-born bowler admitted the moment still haunts him.
The Lord’s Test was one of the most dramatic contests of the five-match India-England series. Chasing 193 for victory, the visitors were in trouble after a brilliant display from England’s pace attack. However, Jadeja’s knock kept India alive. With wickets falling at the other end, Siraj joined the senior all-rounder for the final wicket. Together, the duo tackled England’s attack for over an hour, taking India within 22 runs of an unlikely victory. Siraj, who had already impressed with the ball earlier in the match by taking four wickets, displayed unexpected calmness with the bat, but eventually lost his wicket most unexpectedly.
“It is still shocking to me. I don’t know how it happened. If you see carefully, while the ball is travelling towards the stumps, a small pebble comes in the way and the ball bounces up off it, reaches the stumps to just about hit and a bail drops. That moment keeps popping up on Insta reels. When I see those reels, I get emotional. We had almost lost that match, but we were back in the Test. I was feeling so comfortable, there was no way I felt I could get out,” Siraj said while speaking to The Indian Express.
I aimed to become the highest wicket-taker there: Siraj
That wicket sealed England’s win by 22 runs and handed India a heartbreaking defeat. Notably, Siraj had been India’s standout performer throughout the series, leading the wicket charts with 23 wickets in five Tests at an average of 32.43. With Jasprit Bumrah being rested for two matches, Siraj led the attack, delivering 185.3 overs across the series. The series eventually ended in a 2-2 draw. The pacer further revealed that he had been in a special mental zone during the series, which helped him stay focused and confident.
“When I landed in England, my aim was to become the highest wicket-taker there. That was my zone. During the whole series, I was mentally strong — I wanted to be 100 per cent fit, 100 per cent available, and play all five matches. My rhythm was also very good when I played the practice matches. When I found out that Jassi bhai (Jasprit Bumrah) was not going to play all the matches, since I was the second senior fast bowler in the team, I wanted to give my 100 per cent,” he added.
Get every cricket updates! Follow Us:
