India's young guns are fearless and mentally hardened by the IPL exposure. But true mettle will be tested when adversity strikes -- and this time, there will be no Kohli to stir up the crowd, no Rohit to deliver a captaincy masterstroke, and no Ashwin to conjure wickets out of nowhere.
Siraj, who made his debut for India in Australia, played Test matches against England during the home series earlier this year.
But Rohit's deplorable form in red-ball in red-ball cricket may have forced this decision.
K L Rahul drove his way to a sublime 47 after England negated India's advantage by totalling 465 in their first innings as the visitors had another ordinary day in the field on Day 3 of the first Test in Leeds on Sunday.
With over 500 runs, six crucial catches, the most by an Indian on the tour, Rahul led by example and lived up to his wiseman tag.
IMAGES from Day 5 of the 3rd Test played at The Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday.
CSK skipper M S Dhoni turned to Ahmed despite the impressive Anshul Kamboj (3-0-25-0) having one over remaining, but the left-arm quick wilted under Romario Shepherd's assault.
Mohammed Siraj is taking wickets and his new mode of celebration involves an underlying message for all his critics asking them to just shut up.
Marnus Labuschagne arrived at the crease in Perth with a plan: channel his inner Cheteshwar Pujara.
Was it complacency or a case of easing off after securing qualification?
Jasprit Bumrah, who captained India in Perth, returned with excellent match figures of 8/72 as India crushed Australia by 295 runs.
Former India all-rounder Suresh Raina feels middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav will be sorely missed in the upcoming Champions Trophy, as he could have provided the 'X-factor' in Dubai, where Rohit Sharma's side will play all its matches.
Images from Day 2 of the fifth Test between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj sent Sri Lanka crashing for 55 as India scored a thumping 302-run victory to qualify for semis.
Rajasthan Royals' 14-year-old opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi slammed a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans.
Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer Mohammed Siraj grabbed four wickets to lead his side to a 24-run win over Punjab Kings.
Beckham, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, is on a three-day visit to India
India arrived in Bengaluru seeking a big win over the 2021 champions to improve their chances of making a third successive final in June 2025, but will now need to battle to keep alive their run of 18 straight home series victories since 2012.
Reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders will hope that their strife-ridden batting unit will tighten its act against in-form table-toppers Gujarat Titans in the IPL match in Kolkata on Monday.
India Test skipper Virat Kohli was all praise for pacer Mohammed Siraj, saying his evolution is a good sign for the team heading into the South Africa tour.
'When you have a bowler taking wickets consistently, it's understandable that you tend to overbowl him. I don't think we can blame the team management for this.'
Jadeja's return along with Akash Deep replacing Harshit Rana, is seen as a bold move that could either turn the series around or backfire spectacularly.
Images from Wednesday's IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, in Abu Dhabi.
'He has supported me through thick and thin. He has always been there for me and in all circumstances.'
David Warner became a bit 'weary' after being knocked on the head by a Mohammed Siraj bouncer on day one of the second Test.
Harbhajan feels Siraj can pip Ishant for a place in the final XI.
23 wickets and several records fell on the opening day of the second and final Test in Cape Town on Wednesday.
According to recent developments, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the PCB have reportedly reached an in-principle agreement to adopt a hybrid model for global tournaments hosted in Pakistan or India until 2027.
The GT batters did well at the start and lost their way in the middle before settling for 196 in their 20 overs.
His skipper Virat Kohli on the day mostly used him in short bursts and the plan was to hit one area consistently in order to create pressure.
'His file has been closed. I have got no idea why they did that.'
'We won't miss Virat and Rohit. I have faith in our young team.'
Mominul Haque was batting on 40 with Mushfiqur Rahim on six at the other end when bad light forced players off the pitch and rain followed soon after.
The cupboard is bare and it will take some time to prepare another cracking line-up that can match the aura of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma.
'Intensity and target. Fielding Coach T Dilip describes #TeamIndia's fielding drill in Perth.'
Siraj became the 298th player to play Test cricket for India
In the IPL Eliminator against Gujarat Titans on Friday, May 30 2025, Mumbai Indians' seasoned campaigners Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah were the difference-makers, underlining the timeless adage that in cricket, it's the big players who deliver on the big occasions.
Glimpses from around the world that will make you smile and cry.
Suryakumar Yadav was picked as the India T20I captain ahead of Hardik Pandya, while Rohit stays as the captain of the ODI team.
India are yet to win a Test in Birmingham in nearly six decades -- boasting of a dismal record of seven losses and one draw in eight attempts.
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