Mohammed Siraj - sportstiger

Mohammed Siraj Picture Credit: BCCI

The third and final match of the three-match ODI series between India and England is being played at Old Trafford in Manchester. Team India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss for the third time in a row and invited England to bat first once again. India fielded a Jasprit Bumrah-less side as the star pacer was ruled out with a back spasm while England persisted with the same lineup.

Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow came to open the innings for England while Mohammed Shami opened the attack for India. England got off to a really good start as Roy smashed three boundaries in the first over itself and it looked like England have come up with an intent to attack the Indian pacers, who have troubled them in the last two games. With no Bumrah, it looked like India’s pace attack will lack potency.

However, Mohammed Siraj who had replaced Bumrah in the Playing XI had other plans. The right-arm quick who has enjoyed a great outing in England so far (but in red-ball cricket) continued his impressive run of form and troubled England batters right from the first ball he delivered. After deceiving Bairstow with a couple of outswingers, Siraj bowled an inswinger for the third ball which the batter could only mistime into the hands of Shreyas Iyer.

With Bairstow gone, out came Root but to only be dismissed for a three-ball duck. Siraj was once again up to the task with his fiery bowling. The pacer maintained his line and length and finally got Root caught in the slips with a brilliant outswing delivery. With the wicket of Root, Siraj bowled a double-wicket maiden, just like Bumrah did in the first ODI.

Watch Siraj’s fiery bowling here:

Siraj continues to trouble England batters

Although Siraj was taken to the cleaners in his next few overs by Jason Roy and Ben Stokes, the right-arm quick did not hold back from bowling his lengths. Mohammed Siraj continued to trouble the England batters, especially Jos Buttler with his short-pitch deliveries. The pacer also knocked twice on Buttler’s helmet in one over.