In India’s dramatic 2-2 draw in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, one name shone brightest on the final day – Mohammed Siraj. The Hyderabad pacer bowled with heart, hunger, and unmatched discipline to script a thrilling six-run win at The Oval. While Jasprit Bumrah vs Mohammed Siraj has become the talk of the series, there’s no doubt both were instrumental in India’s fightback. As the two best bowlers for England vs India series, their combined efforts kept India alive in tough moments – Bumrah with his experience and guile, Siraj with raw passion and unrelenting effort.

The Power of B.E.L.I.E.V.E – Siraj’s Turning Point

If there’s one word to sum up Mohammed Siraj’s final day heroics, it’s “Believe” or, in his stylised version, B.E.L.I.E.V.E. That’s what flashed across the Cristiano Ronaldo wallpaper on his phone. It wasn’t just wallpaper, it was a mindset. In the fifth and final Test, with India needing a miracle and England just 35 runs away with four wickets in hand, Siraj did what most wouldn’t dare: he believed. He rose two hours earlier than usual, not out of fear, but anticipation, feeling that greatness was near. His teammates sensed something different, too, a quiet intensity about him, a steely calm that hinted at what was to come. He proved why he was one of the best bowlers for England vs India series.

𝘽. 𝙀. 𝙇. 𝙄. 𝙀. 𝙑. 𝙀 pic.twitter.com/ClrCat7IMJ

— Mohammed Siraj (@mdsirajofficial) August 4, 2025

Siraj didn’t just bowl to survive; he bowled to win. Jamie Smith, Overton, Tongue and finally Gus Atkinson all fell to Siraj’s relentless energy. He ran in with the same intensity, ball after ball, as if the series depended on each delivery and in many ways, it did. Every ball he bowled was a statement. On Ball 1113 of his series, he delivered a blistering 143 kph yorker to flatten Atkinson’s stumps and end the game. Highest wicket-taker for India in Test, Jasprit Bumrah vs Mohammed Siraj was no longer just a stats comparison – it had turned into a battle of character. And on that morning, Siraj’s belief made India believe.

Jasprit Bumrah vs Mohammed Siraj：The Numbers Game

To break down the Bumrah vs Siraj battle, let’s take a look at their bowling stats from the 2025 England Test series:

In purely statistical terms, Siraj not only bowled nearly 400 more deliveries than Bumrah but also picked up 9 more wickets, making him the highest wicket-taker for India in Test series. While Bumrah was more economical, it was Siraj who kept coming back for long spells, often bowling when the pitch offered little and the situation seemed hopeless. He bowled with relentless intensity across five Tests, never once showing signs of fatigue. His ability to create pressure even when wickets weren’t coming proved vital.

Bowling efforts that did the talking in the #ENGvIND series 🤩

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/syGAmqY21X pic.twitter.com/GnubOZARH4

— ICC (@ICC) August 6, 2025

That’s what makes the comparison of the two bowlers so compelling: one brought control, the other brought chaos. Siraj thrived when adversity was at its peak, often stepping in when India needed breakthroughs the most. Together, they were India’s engine, one purring with precision, the other roaring with raw fire.

Related Article：England vs India 5th Test Highlights：Inside the Chaos of a 2–2 Classic

When Bumrah Rested, Siraj Roared Louder

As one of the best bowlers for England vs India series, Jasprit Bumrah was clinical in his limited appearances. However, due to workload management, he missed two Tests. It was in those moments that Mohammed Siraj stepped up and transformed from a support act into a frontman. The Jasprit Bumrah vs Mohammed Siraj narrative evolved, and this was no longer just a competition, but a baton pass.

From Lord’s to the Oval 🏟️

The power of belief 💪

A dramatic turnaround by Mohd. Siraj that inspired the change in emotions and result 🙌#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @mdsirajofficial pic.twitter.com/qYGKYywkg6

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2025

Without Bumrah’s leadership on the field, Siraj became the go-to pacer. He bowled the most overs of any Indian quick in the series, 185.3 to be precise, drawing 283 false shots, more than any Indian seamer in recorded history. His 23 wickets were hard-earned: spells in flat conditions, second-innings pressure, new ball duties, and most notably, the fifth-day resurrection at The Oval. In a series that featured the Highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket, Siraj carved out a space of his own, not just as a support act but as a force India could depend on.

Siraj may have dropped Harry Brook and failed with the bat at Lord’s, but redemption was never far. He believed. And when Mohammed Siraj believes, India wins. This transformation from a “spirited apprentice” to India’s pace leader proved crucial in balancing the series. While Bumrah was, and remains, India’s premier strike bowler, Siraj’s emergence as the series MVP candidate gives India a pace future built on steel and soul.

Final Word

The debate around Jasprit Bumrah vs Mohammed Siraj won’t end anytime soon, and maybe it shouldn’t. Both played key roles in India drawing the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2. Bumrah was elegant and efficient; Siraj was passionate and persistent. Bumrah delivered crucial breakthroughs early in the series and maintained tight control, while Siraj grew in stature with every Test, culminating in that unforgettable final morning at The Oval. Their contrasting styles created the perfect balance in India’s attack, showcasing the strength of the modern Indian pace battery.

Among established Test quicks since 2006, there are just 20 who consistently move the ball both ways (higher than 20% of balls swinging both right & left).

Among those 20, 10 have an average speed above 135kph.

Among those 10, only two hit a good line and length over 40% of…

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) August 2, 2025

But if there’s one bowler who defined India’s spirit this series, who fought the most overs, who bowled his heart out when others faded, it was Mohammed Siraj. He was the emotional pulse of the team, the one who refused to back down even when the odds were stacked. His raw energy turned the tide more than once. For now, he holds the belt as India’s MVP and highest wicket-taker for India in Test series and firmly stands among the best bowlers for England vs India series.