‘Hero Siraj kept things simple’: Kapil Dev

“Siraj is a real hero. The good thing is that he did not try to do anything extraordinary. He simply kept the ball in the right areas, especially around off stump and success followed,” Kapil told mid-day on Friday. “Siraj was leading the bowling attack [in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence] and he did it courageously,” added Kapil.

Kapil Dev

Interestingly the 1983 ODI World Cup-winning skipper, who had issues with the English language during that campaign, stressed on how language is no barrier when it comes to sport. “England needed 35 runs and India needed four wickets. This was the situation on the morning of Day Five and we plucked all four wickets. We may not speak better English, but our team has proved that speaking English is not necessary when it comes to winning a cricket match,” added Kapil, who played 131 Tests for India, picking a record 434 wickets at an average of 29.64.

“Siraj was in high spirits and lifted the entire team on that last day. [No. 7 Jamie] Smith was a dangerous batter and when Siraj removed him, it brought the belief back into the Indian team,” added Kapil, 66, going on to hail the Player of the Match-winning pacer’s temperament and never-give-up attitude by citing how he bounced back despite dropping a crucial catch (Siraj dropped England’s Harry Brook when he was on 19 and he went on to score 111). “Siraj dropped a catch on Day Four, yet he bowled his best after that. That’s a rare and great quality. He never looked under pressure.”

‘India needs more Sirajs’

Though Siraj claimed nine wickets in the match, Kapil refused to single out any dismissal. “Credit should be given to him for all nine wickets. The difference was just six runs, so I don’t believe in crediting one or two wickets,” he said, adding that Indian cricket needs more Sirajs. “If we can bring in more players like Siraj, we will win many more matches.” 

9-190
India pacer Mohammed Siraj’s match haul against England at the Oval — his best in Tests.