India pacer Mohammed Siraj has revealed the tactics that led to Gus Atkinson’s dismissal within the fifth Test of the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which wrapped up in early August. Chasing 374, England stood at 367/9 after 85 overs, needing just seven runs to win with Atkinson on strike, scoring 17.
On the primary ball of the 86th over, Siraj bowled a 143 kph yorker that uprooted Atkinson’s stumps, securing an exhilarating six-run victory for India and leveling the series 2-2. In a recent interview with RevSportz, the 31-year-old reflected on his approach, saying:
“The one over that I bowled before that, he had a swing at a yorker of mine. So, in such cases the batsman thinks that the following could be a length ball. And the last time (I bowled that), it went for a sixer. After I was doing my run-up, I used to be planning and deciding on my bowling style. There have been only six runs left and one sixer could have taken the match away from us, so I desired to get him bowled out.”
“The best way I played the ball in my mind and wanted it to be, was exactly the way in which it behaved. It was an unreal feeling when it hit the wicket exactly as I wanted it to. It was unbelievable cricket, and the results of the exertions of 5 Test matches was finally received on that last day. Knowing that I actually have done it gave me a really relaxed feeling internally,” he added.
“You may have no idea what you could have done” – Siraj on mom’s response
Throughout the same conversation, Mohammed Siraj described the heartfelt reception he got in Hyderabad following the England series and shared his mother’s response, saying:
“It was different this time. Everyone has watched the matches, people were appreciating my performance and recognising me more. Mom’s response was totally different. She was like, “You may have no idea what you could have done, and should God keep blessing you in this manner and keep you secure and powerful.”
“Irrespective of what I actually have achieved till now, I don’t want to forget my roots. Visiting Hyderabad is at all times a peaceful experience for me, and I attempt to stay the identical person who I used to be with my friends and everybody before.”
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