India pacer Mohammad Siraj's rise in red-ball cricket has been phenomenal in the past few years. The man from Hyderabad has garnered widespread attention for his brilliance with the ball, consistently delivering his heart out for his team.
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As the India vs England Test series reached its climax, legendary English batter and centurion from Day 4, Joe Root, has heaped praises on the Indian bowler.
Root compared Siraj's attitude to a warrior, adding that anyone would love to have such a player on their team.
What makes Mohammad Siraj special?
Siraj has been prolific throughout the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy. He is the only Indian pacer to have lasted for all five Tests in this series.
Talking to the press post Day 4's play, Root praised the Indian pacer for his unwavering spirit and warrior mentality.
"He's a character, he's a warrior, you know, he's a real warrior. He's someone you would want on your team; he's that kind of character. He gives everything to India, and it's credit to him for that."
Siraj has bowled long spells whenever his side needed them and has not shied away from any challenge. His 8-over spells in both innings of the last Test show his hunger for winning it for his nation.
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Siraj is currently at the top of the bowling charts this series, with 20 wickets in 9 innings at an average of 36.85. He has bowled a total of 181 overs in the series, which is nearly 20 overs per innings, which shows his commitment to the team.
Did Joe Root call Mohammad Siraj fake?
Root remarked about Siraj's fake anger, which he noted as a show that he puts on when giving it all for his team, although he called him a very nice lad. The batter also praised Siraj's approach towards the game.
Joe Root is not fooled by Siraj’s 'fake-anger' - he’s a fan anyway 😄 pic.twitter.com/PnEJ3eityu
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 4, 2025
"The way he approaches cricket, he's got this like fake angriness about him sometimes, which I can see straight through, you can tell he's actually a really nice lad. But, he tries it incredibly hard" Root said.
Root feels that the pacer presents a great example for all the young stars who strive to play for their nation. Siraj is one of those guys who brings out his competitive spirit while keeping the sportsman spirit intact.
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"He's always got a big smile on his face, and he'll give everything for his team. I guess you couldn't want anything more of that as a fan watching and a great example to any young player starting out," Root added.
Siraj was one of the few Indian players wearing a headband as a tribute to the late Graham Thorpe on Day 2 of the Oval Test.