“Whom Will I Hug?” Mohammed Siraj Melts Hearts Revealing Wholesome Interaction with Jasprit Bumrah

Mohammed Siraj has bowled well in Jasprit Bumrah's absence, with three of his five-wicket hauls in Tests coming when Bumrah has not play.

“Whom Will I Hug?” Mohammed Siraj Melts Hearts Revealing Wholesome Interaction with Jasprit Bumrah

Mohammed Siraj urged Jasprit Bumrah to not leave the Team India camp, as he would be left with no one to hug. (via X)

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Mohammed Siraj once again displayed his affection for Jasprit Bumrah, revealing an emotional story about how he insisted Bumrah to stay back for the final Test against England. Siraj revealed that he told Bumrah not to leave, humorously asking who he would hug after taking a five-wicket haul.

Siraj has been a constant presence in India’s pace attack, playing in all five matches of the ongoing tour of England. While other fast bowlers have had periods of rest, Mohammed Siraj has had to bowl over 150 overs in the series so far, scalping 19 wickets at an average of around 35.00. His impressive tally includes a crucial five-wicket haul at Edgbaston, which was instrumental in India’s massive 336-run victory.

Jasprit Bumrah, on the other hand, has been rested from the playing XI for the fifth match at the Oval. Bumrah, who is India’s second highest wicket-taker in the series with 14 scalps, has now missed two out of the five matches in the series. His absence from the final Test is part of the Indian team management’s strategy to carefully manage the 31-year-old’s workload, especially given his past history with injuries.

Bumrah was released from the Indian squad on July 31, and was scheduled to travel back to India to get ready for the busy cricketing season ahead. Siraj revealed that he approached Jasprit Bumrah, moments before his departure from the Team India camp. Known for his affectionate ‘Jassi Bhai’ remarks, Siraj, in the video shared by BCCI.tv, revealed how he tried to stop the ace speedster from leaving.

Siraj admitted that he made an emotional plea to convince Bumrah to stay, by stating who he would come to hug, after scalping a five-wicket haul. This heartfelt question perfectly showcases the brotherly bond the two pacers share. Mohammed Siraj added that Bumrah responded by reassuring him that he is always by his side and wished him luck for a five-wicket haul before bidding farewell to the team.

I asked Jassi [Jasprit Bumrah] bhai, ‘Why are you going? Who will I hug when I take five wickets?’ He said, ‘I’m here, you take your five wickets!’

While Mohammed Siraj did not manage to take a five-wicket haul, he did take four wickets in England’s first innings of the final Test. He claimed the crucial wickets of Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Jacob Bethell, finishing with exceptional figures of 4/86 in his 16.2-over spell. Siraj also broke Bumrah’s record for the most four-wicket hauls by an Indian bowler in England, now having six to his name.

In the same video, Prasidh Krishna, who also stepped up in Bumrah’s absence to take four wickets at the Oval, spoke about the team’s fast-bowling group. While acknowledging that Bumrah is a great part of the unit, he stressed the importance of all the bowlers trusting each other.

Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna Etch Names in Elite List with Exceptional First Innings Display at The Oval

The Indian bowling unit displayed remarkable grit and resilience on the second day of the final Test against England, successfully bowling out the Three Lions for just 247 runs. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna led the team’s impressive comeback by each claiming a four-wicket haul.

Mohammed Siraj Prasidh Krishna record
Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj became the fourth Indian bowling pair to take a 4+ wicket haul each, in a Test innings in England. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

Both Siraj and Krishna etched their names into the record books by becoming only the fifth Indian bowling pair to each take four or more wickets in an innings in a Test match in England. For Prasidh Krishna, this marked the first time he achieved this feat, while for Mohammed Siraj, it was his second such instance, having previously done so alongside Akash Deep in the Edgbaston Test earlier in the series.

This unique list of Indian bowling pairs who have each scalped four or more wickets in an innings in England is led by the duo of Lala Amarnath and Vinoo Mankad, who both claimed five-wicket hauls in 1946 in Manchester. RP Singh and Zaheer Khan also accomplished this feat at Lord’s back in 2007.