ENG vs IND 2025: Ajinkya Rahane Reveals Why Mohammed Siraj Was Angry with Him

Star Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane recently opened up about his admiration for Mohammed Siraj, especially for the fast bowler’s ability to bowl long, intense spells. Rahane, who captained the Indian team in four out of five matches during the historic 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, revealed an interesting incident from that series. He said that during Siraj’s debut match, the Hyderabad pacer was upset with him for giving him the ball later than expected. Despite being new to Test cricket at the time, Siraj was full of confidence and wanted to make an immediate impact. His hunger to perform and his natural aggression have since become his trademarks on the field.

Siraj’s debut series was nothing short of remarkable. The right-arm pacer emerged as India’s leading wicket-taker in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, picking up 23 wickets at an average of 32.43. What made his performance even more special was his consistency and stamina—he bowled in all four Tests he played in that series, delivering a total of 1,110 balls. His dedication and ability to bowl long spells without losing intensity earned him the respect of both his teammates and opponents.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rahane praised Siraj’s fierce approach to the game. The current Kolkata Knight Riders captain described Siraj as one of the rare fast bowlers in world cricket who is fully ready from the very first ball he bowls. “The thing I like most about Siraj is that he enjoys bowling long spells,” Rahane said. “Even in the 2020-21 series, he was ready to keep bowling with the same energy and focus. In Australia, when he made his debut, he was a little angry because I handed him the ball later than he wanted. That anger still exists in him, and I believe it brings out the best in his game. We all saw it again in the recent England series. The aggression in his bowling and his sharp focus from the first delivery are the qualities that make him a great bowler.”

Siraj’s fiery temperament and never-give-up attitude have continued to serve him well. In the recent five-match Test series against England, he played all the matches, sending down 185.3 overs in total. His most notable performance came in the final Test at The Oval, where he took nine wickets, including a brilliant five-wicket haul in one innings. That performance not only helped India secure a thrilling six-run victory to level the series 2-2 but also boosted Siraj to his career-best 15th position in the ICC Test bowler rankings—a jump of 12 places.

This rise in the rankings is a testament to Siraj’s hard work, skill, and persistence. His ability to maintain speed and accuracy deep into long spells is a rare skill in modern cricket, where bowlers often rely heavily on short bursts. For Siraj, however, the longer he bowls, the more dangerous he becomes. His passion for the game, coupled with his willingness to take on challenges head-on, has made him one of India’s most reliable fast bowlers in recent years.

While Siraj continues to thrive in international cricket, Rahane is currently focused on making his way back into the Indian team. The experienced batsman has not been picked in the West Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, a domestic tournament that could have been a stepping stone for his return. Rahane’s last appearance for India came in July 2023, and he is now working hard to regain his place in the national side. Despite the challenges, his leadership experience, technical batting skills, and calm presence under pressure still make him a valuable asset for Indian cricket.

Rahane’s insights into Siraj’s mindset highlight how much attitude and mentality can influence performance at the highest level. In Siraj’s case, his controlled aggression, eagerness to bowl long spells, and readiness to attack from ball one have transformed him from a promising debutant into a match-winner for India. If his current form continues, there is little doubt that Siraj will remain a key figure in India’s Test team for many years to come.