January 5, 2025: Mohammed Siraj marked a significant milestone in his career by joining the 100 Test wickets club on Day 3 of the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Siraj’s 100th Test wicket came when he forced an outside edge from Usman Khawaja, which was caught by KL Rahul at second slip. With this scalp, Siraj became the 23rd Indian cricketer to achieve this feat in Test cricket.
In the context of the World Test Championship, Siraj became the latest Indian bowler to join the 100-wicket club, following the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja. His entry into the elite club was a testament to his rise as one of India’s leading fast bowlers, particularly in Test cricket.
However, despite this personal achievement, Siraj’s performance in the fifth Test was a mix of highs and lows. In the absence of Bumrah, who was sidelined due to injury, Siraj took on the responsibility of leading the Indian attack. Initially, there was a lot of anticipation from fans and experts, as Siraj and fellow pacer Prasidh Krishna were expected to give India a dream start with the shining kookaburra ball. But things didn’t go as planned for the 30-year-old speedster.
During the early stages of his spell, Siraj struggled to find his line and length, giving away 13 runs in his first over. The pressure of leading the attack in such an important series seemed to take its toll on him. Despite this, Siraj bounced back in the first innings, claiming a three-wicket haul for 51 runs off 16 overs. This was a commendable performance, but his impact in the second innings fell short of expectations. He could only manage to pick up a single wicket, conceding 69 runs in 12 overs, which was a significant contrast to his earlier success.
The six-wicket loss in the fifth Test not only ended India’s hopes of salvaging the series but also dashed their dreams of making it to the World Test Championship final for a third consecutive time. With Australia winning the series 3-1, it marked the end of India’s 10-year unbeaten run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia now looks set to defend their World Test Championship title against South Africa at Lord’s on June 11.
Despite the defeat, Siraj’s personal achievements were a bright spot for India. Over the course of the five-Test series, he finished with 20 wickets, an average of 31.15, and an economy rate of 3.96, making him the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the series. His overall Test record, after 36 matches and 67 innings, stands at 100 wickets at an average of 30.74 and an economy rate of 3.47.
While India’s defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is disappointing, the future looks bright for Siraj, who has emerged as a key figure in India’s fast bowling attack. His growth in the longest format of the game and his consistency will continue to be a valuable asset for India in the years to come.