The Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing five-match Test series between India and England, claiming 13 wickets across six innings from the three matches played so far. Closely following him is Jasprit Bumrah with 12 wickets in just two Tests. The consistency and fire Siraj has brought to the field have caught the attention of many, including Indian men’s team assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
Ryan ten Doeschate, who joined Gautam Gambhir’s coaching staff last year, has spent considerable time working with Siraj over the past year. Reflecting on the pacer’s contribution, he likened Siraj to a lion, emphasising the bowler’s passion, energy and relentlessness on the field. According to Ryan ten Doeschate, having Siraj in the lineup brings a constant sense of anticipation and potential for breakthroughs, regardless of the match situation.
He remarked that it’s easy to overlook how fortunate India is to have a bowler of Siraj’s caliber. While the numbers may not always be satisfactory, Siraj’s commitment and impact go far beyond the stat sheet. Ryan ten Doeschate observed that Siraj is someone who never backs down from a heavy workload, which makes it even more critical for the team management to carefully manage his physical demands and ensure he remains fit enough to deliver his best consistently.
Siraj has already shown impressive endurance, having played all five Tests in the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and logging over 120 overs in the current series alone. This stamina has solidified his place as a dependable spearhead in India’s pace unit.
Speaking to reporters in Manchester after India’s first training session ahead of the fourth Test, Ryan ten Doeschate shared insights about the team’s plans regarding the bowling lineup. With Bumrah available for only one of the final two matches, the decision about his participation will be influenced by several tactical and logistical factors.
Ryan ten Doeschate noted that the match in Manchester is pivotal with the series hanging in the favor of England. This scenario naturally leans toward including Bumrah in the playing XI. However, he also emphasised the need to evaluate the overall situation, assessing how much play the conditions might allow, what combination offers India the best chance of winning and how the decisions for the fourth Test align with strategies for the final match at The Oval.
In this high-stakes phase of the series, India’s management is focused on balancing immediate match-winning needs with long-term player sustainability, something that highlights Siraj’s central role and the thoughtful orchestration behind India’s pace attack.
