Dream performance: Siraj leading wicket-taker at Lord’s test

Hyderabad: Mohammed Siraj had always dreamt of playing and taking wickets at Lord’s, the Mecca of World cricket. The Hyderabad speedster scalped eight victims, four in each innings, to emerge as the leading wicket-taker in the second Test in which India won by 151 runs against England on Monday. When he cleaned up Jimmy Anderson, he signalled India’s victory and, in joy, he took a stump as a souvenir.

He is already the highest wicket-taker in the five Test series with 11 wickets. In his seven Tests so far, Siraj, who made his debut in the second Test in Melbourne against Australia last year, has already bagged 27 wickets. He is gaining the confidence of skipper Virat Kohli, who has relied on this Hyderabad youngster to deliver the goods. Siraj has never failed his captain and Monday’s show at Lord’s when he snuffed out Moeen Ali and Sam Curran in successive balls and then coming back to remove Jos Buttler and Anderson was icing on the cake.

But roll back to last year. Around October, on eve of the selection of the Indian team to the long tour of Australia, the 27-year-old speedster, in a whatsapp message, said he was nervous whether he would be in the squad or not. Being in Dubai for the IPL tournament, he messaged `Selection kab hai Indian team k?’ and then said `Mehnat Tu chalre bus naam ajan’. It is all history now. Ever since his debut, Siraj has been on the rise. He will be a new Siraj and he will be a much improved bowler after his failures in one-day and T20 for India.

MSK Prasad, former chairman of the selection committee, said it is just the beginning. “He will bring more laurels to the country. We were always convinced that he would do wonders with the red ball. He has the ability to swing the ball with good pace. He learnt to be patient while playing a good number of matches for India A team under Rahul Dravid,’’ said Prasad.

Siraj has always been successful with the balls which come in and has a high success rate against the left-handers. “He is a natural in-swing bowler but he has also troubled the batsmen with one that straightens after pitching. He uses the crease very well and mastered the ball with cross-seam. With Bharat Arun, he has come a long way,’’ said Prasad, adding “he has won the trust of Kohli, who always gives him the ball whenever India wants a wicket.’’

Former Test cricketer VVS Laxman said it is all about the skills that help a player to play at the highest level. “But ever since he played Test cricket, he has shown exceptional skills with the ball and also shown a lot of character. He is all lively when given the ball in any situation. I would give credit to Arun, who I remember in a Ranji nets as Hyderabad coach telling me of Siraj’s potential.’’

Abdul Azeem, who was instrumental in the making of Siraj from a young age, said he was extremely happy the way this Hyderabad cricketer has taken his game to a new high. “Hard work pays. He has been an inspiration to many young cricketers.’’