Mohammed Siraj Silences 10,000 England Fans with Fiery Comeback After Getting Booed in 2nd Test
Mohammed Siraj had a false start twice on Friday as he missed his run-up on both the occasions
After dominating the play on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test against England at Edgbaston, India had a terrific start to the following day as well, thanks to Mohammed Siraj. The right-arm pacer picked two wickets in consecutive deliveries to dent England’s hopes. Siraj had a false start twice on Friday as he missed his run-up on both the occasions. This saw the England fans boo the star India pacer. Even a sarcastic clapping following when Siraj managed to bowl the first ball of his spell on the day in his third attempt.
India’s Mohammed Siraj (C) celebrates the wicket of England’s Joe Root on Day 3 of 2nd Test AFP
After dominating the play on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test against England at Edgbaston, India had a terrific start to the following day as well, thanks to Mohammed Siraj. The right-arm pacer picked two wickets in consecutive deliveries to dent England’s hopes. Siraj had a false start twice on Friday as he missed his run-up on both the occasions. This saw the England fans boo the star India pacer. Even a sarcastic clapping following when Siraj managed to bowl the first ball of his spell on the day in his third attempt.
While the fans tried their best to put pressure on Siraj, he replied in an emphatic manner. The pacer took just two balls from there and then struck twice. He removed Joe Root with a good length delivery down the leg side as the batter found a nick that carried to India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Siraj followed it up with a fiery celebration.
What followed was a much better delivery that left England captain Ben stokes surprised. A short ball from Siraj produced an edge from Ben Stokes’ bat and that catch was also taken by Pant.
England batter Jamie Smith struck a senational century to put the side back in the game before Lunch.
The Three Lions were in all sorts of trouble after losing five wickets for mere 84 runs on the board, coutesy Siraj’s twin blows, but they bounced back superbly through Smith and Harry Brook’s counter-attack. At Luch, England were 249/5, 338 runs behind India’s first-innings 567 built on captain Shubman Gill’s superb 269.
Smith smashed 102 not out, scoring his hundred off just 80 balls, including 14 fours and three sixes, while Harry Brook was unbeaten on 91, with the pair having added an unbroken 165 runs for the sixth-wicket in sensational style.
England resumed the day at the score of 77 for 3, with Root (18 not out) and Brook (30 not out). Siraj provided India a dream start on the day before Brook and Smith spoiled the party for the visitors in the first session on Day 3.
India pacer Prasidh Krishna leaked runs in the session, with one of his overs conceding 23. Rest of the Indian bowlers too failed to pick any wicket after Siraj’s twin strikes in the session.
When Mohammed Siraj returned to bowl on Day 3 of the Edgbaston Test, the atmosphere was charged. After two false starts early on Friday — missing his run-up twice — a section of the England crowd burst into jeers and sarcastic clapping as he prepared for his third attempt
But what could have rattled a lesser player had the opposite effect on Siraj. Far from intimidated, he channelled every bit of that energy straight back into his performance.
Just two balls after resuming, Siraj delivered a double punch:
- Joe Root was caught behind—nick edged to Rishabh Pant.
- Ben Stokes, England’s captain, fell LBW for a golden duck.
It was a massive momentum shift: the very crowd attempting to unsettle him ended up holding their breath. #TalkWithTheBall took on a whole new meaning
This fiery burst helped India brew a psychological storm, tilting the game decisively.
That early burst wasn’t a flash in the pan — Siraj went on to claim a career-best 6 for 70, propelling India to a commanding 180-run lead in the first innings (England all out for 407 vs India’s 567)
Impressively, this performance came without Jasprit Bumrah — making Siraj the lead pacer in Edgbaston, turning heat into execution.
By letting his ball did the talking, Siraj answered the crowd in the most powerful way possible. The intensity on his face said it all: this was his statement performance. After all, on-field aggression and ruthlessness are part of his game — and this was peak Siraj mode.
This fiery temperament isn’t new. Earlier this season in Australia, Siraj drew similar reactions:
- Adelaide Test: After dismissing Travis Head (who made 140), Siraj delivered a scathing send-off that enraged the crowd. He was booed consistently thereafter
Sydney: A section of the crowd allegedly hurled abuse, prompting outrage .
2021 England tour: He once had a ball thrown at him in Headingley after being bombarded with chants — teammate Rishabh Pant lodged a polite protest
Despite the hostility, Siraj seems to thrive — turning negativity into motivation. As one journalist noted: “Life hasn’t indulged Siraj… But he doesn’t depend on love… It fired him to bowl an inspired spell“*
Reddit provided a rich mix of analysis and attitudes:Some felt the Travis Head gesture in Adelaide was unnecessary provocation, especially after Head’s century
- Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar criticized Siraj in Australia for his aggressive send-off, calling it “unnecessary” and explaining why the crowd turned against him .
Even Travis Head himself admitted disappointment in the tone, though he downplayed lingering animosity .
Yet, others — especially India-based fans — defended Siraj’s passion, branding his aggression as “peak BGT energy”
Siraj’s Edgbaston burst is more than a bowling performance — it’s a statement on Test cricket’s emotional intensity.
- Mental resilience: Despite hostile crowds and chants, Siraj produced his best Test figures overseas.
- Aggression in Test cricket: Siraj’s actions suggest tests aren’t just about skill—they’re psychological warfare.
- Team leadership: With Bumrah rested, Siraj grabbed the mantle — and thrived under pressure.
He transformed crowd ire into personal triumph — serving as a template for channeling provocation into execution.
- Tactical shift: England lost two major wickets in a flash, upending any plans to consolidate early.
- Psychological advantage: Siraj’s burst sent a message—not just to the opposition, but to his own teammates and fans: India’s pace attack is deadly and determined.
- Siraj’s confidence: For a player who’s battled criticism and crowd hostility, this spells a major confidence boost.
With India leading and momentum shifting firmly in their favour, Siraj’s bullet now stands as a pivotal moment in the series narrative.
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