Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Siraj to lead India's pace attack in Sri Lanka Tests
Mohammed Siraj is a fast bowler who plays cricket for India.
His teammate Jasprit Bumrah, usually India's star fast bowler, is not playing in the upcoming matches.
So Siraj has to be the leader of India's pace attack.
India is playing two Test matches in Sri Lanka, starting on Saturday in the city of Galle.
The pitches in Sri Lanka are slow and help spin bowlers more than fast bowlers.
Even so, Siraj has a great record when he is the main bowler.
He has taken 50 wickets in 17 Tests when leading the attack.
His old coach says his fighting spirit comes from playing tennis ball cricket as a child.
Siraj never gives up and always wants to win, which makes him a key player for India.
He can also bat, and he even hit three sixes in a row in a warm-up match in Colombo.
Mohammed Siraj will lead India's pace attack in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Jasprit Bumrah's absence.
The series begins on Saturday in Galle, where slow turners and humid conditions are expected to favour spinners.
As the lead bowler, Siraj has taken 50 wickets in 17 Tests at an average of 25.4, compared with 90 wickets in 29 Tests at an average of 32 alongside Bumrah.
Siraj took six for 70 in the first innings of last year's Birmingham Test against England when Bumrah was absent for workload management.
Mentor Mohammed Mahboob Ahmed credits Siraj's competitive intensity to his tennis ball cricket background at the Charminar Cricket Club in Hyderabad.
- Who
- Mohammed Siraj, along with supporting pacers Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar, leading India's attack in place of the absent Jasprit Bumrah.
- What
- Siraj is set to lead India's fast-bowling attack in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
- When
- The series starts on Saturday in Galle and spans the next 18 days.
- Where
- Galle and Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- Because premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah is absent, and Siraj has a strong record as the lead bowler.
- Series
- Two-Test series between India and Sri Lanka
- Start
- Saturday, at Galle
- Venues
- Galle and Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Siraj's role
- Lead India's pace attack in Jasprit Bumrah's absence
- Siraj's record as lead bowler
- 50 wickets in 17 Tests at an average of 25.4
- Siraj's record with Bumrah
- 90 wickets in 29 Tests at an average of 32
- Supporting pacers
- Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar
- Siraj's age
- 32