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IND vs ENG 5th Test: Mohammed Siraj had put up a brilliant performance during India's Test series against England as he had bowled in 185.3 overs in five matches and had become the highest wicket-taker of the series by taking 23 wickets. In this physically exhausting series, he maintained his intensity and took wickets at crucial stages even during the last Test match at the Oval and helped the side win the match by six runs after taking a five-for.

Even though he had become a match-winner, the amount of work he had done by bowling 1100 balls is quite concerning. With the amount of workload and that too delivered under immense pressure, it can result in a pacer's fatigue or him picking up a niggle afterwards.

Siraj might have dismissed such concerns and reckoned that his body was fine and just wanted to play for the country, but the question remains: can he maintain this level without taking any rest or recovery? For a bowler like Siraj, who gave it his all, the question wasn't about his passion but about whether his body would fully recover before the next assignment.

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Siraj was snubbed from India's Champions Trophy squad but was the only fast bowler to have played during all five Test matches between England and Australia over the last 10 months.

Siraj bends his back at SENA

Ever since Siraj made his debut in the longest format, he has worked harder than any other Indian fast bowler in SENA countries, as he has bowled in 769.5 overs, which is more than Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood, and Kagiso Rabada could have done. His grit and determination in South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia are commendable but also quite concerning.

The other global workhorses, like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, had bowled more in this period. Siraj, who announced his arrival on the international stage as a support seamer, created a niche for himself by performing consistently. Since the Men in Blue's calendar looks quite hectic going ahead, concerns have been raised as to whether Siraj's body can manage the intensity without experiencing fatigue or suffering from a long-term injury.

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Most overs bowled by pacers in SENA since Mohammed Siraj’s Test debut:

Pat Cummins (Australia) – Matches: 30, Overs: 960.3, Wickets: 134

Mitchell Starc (Australia) – Matches: 30, Overs: 921.2, Wickets: 118

Tim Southee (New Zealand) – Matches: 22, Overs: 820.1, Wickets: 72

Mohammed Siraj (India) – Matches: 23, Overs: 769.5, Wickets: 91

Jasprit Bumrah (India) – Matches: 21, Overs: 737.4, Wickets: 102

Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) – Matches: 20, Overs: 612.2, Wickets: 101

Josh Hazlewood (Australia) – Matches: 20, Overs: 611.0, Wickets: 80

Matt Henry (New Zealand) – Matches: 15, Overs: 567.0, Wickets: 78

Relentless Siraj keeps going

After Siraj made his Test debut way back in the 2020 Boxing Day Test against Australia, he has continuously bowled for the country. After playing in 41 matches, he had bowled in 1069.5 overs, which is more than that of legendary James Anderson, Jasprit Bumrah, and Stuart Broad during the same period. Pat Cummins (1206.1), Mitchell Starc (1196.3), and Tim Southee (1109.1) are the only fast bowlers who have bowled more than Siraj.

The trio of Cummins, Starc, and Southee did get enough chances to get their workload managed. On the other hand, Siraj is the only bowler from this list to have featured during 14 matches of every season of the IPL after he made his debut in the cash-rich league. Till the 2024 T20 World Cup, he also used to represent the country in all formats.
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His 123 wickets show his effect and his brilliant efforts across all formats and conditions. With the Indian fast bowlers getting injured and their workload management, he has performed consistently and has led the country's bowling attack from the front.

Most overs bowled by pacers since Mohammed Siraj’s debut in Test cricket:

Pat Cummins (Australia) – Matches: 40, Overs: 1206.1, Wickets: 159

Mitchell Starc (Australia) – Matches: 42, Overs: 1196.3, Wickets: 154

Tim Southee (New Zealand) – Matches: 32, Overs: 1109.1, Wickets: 95

Mohammed Siraj (India) – Matches: 41, Overs: 1069.5, Wickets: 123

James Anderson (England) – Matches: 32, Overs: 1048.4, Wickets: 104

Jasprit Bumrah (India) – Matches: 33, Overs: 1016.3, Wickets: 149

Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) – Matches: 28, Overs: 848.1, Wickets: 139

Chris Woakes (England) – Matches: 24, Overs: 784.3, Wickets: 80

Stuart Broad (England) – Matches: 24, Overs: 782.2, Wickets: 90

Alzarri Joseph (West Indies) – Matches: 27, Overs: 760.2, Wickets: 92

Eight years and still going

He made his international debut way back in 2017 and has since then become the country's most-used fast bowler. By bowling in 1457 overs after playing in 101 matches, Jasprit Bumrah (2226.5 overs) and Mohammed Shami (1668.5 overs) are the only Indian pacers to have bowled more overs than him in this period.

Siraj has also dominated the list of most overs bowled by fast bowlers all over the world and is just behind senior pros like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Tim Southee. Due to his hectic workload, he has performed tirelessly and has taken 208 wickets, and has often risen up to the occasion on tricky pitches.

Most overs bowled by pacers since Mohammed Siraj’s debut in international cricket:

Pat Cummins (Australia) – Matches: 159, Overs: 2793.0, Wickets: 417

Mitchell Starc (Australia) – Matches: 166, Overs: 2641.3, Wickets: 413

Tim Southee (New Zealand) – Matches: 175, Overs: 2452.0, Wickets: 360

Jasprit Bumrah (India) – Matches: 151, Overs: 2226.5, Wickets: 367

Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) – Matches: 161, Overs: 2224.1, Wickets: 381

Josh Hazlewood (Australia) – Matches: 143, Overs: 2111.3, Wickets: 310

James Anderson (England) – Matches: 59, Overs: 1963.0, Wickets: 198

Jason Holder (West Indies) – Matches: 179, Overs: 1907.4, Wickets: 258

Stuart Broad (England) – Matches: 58, Overs: 1889.1, Wickets: 216

Chris Woakes (England) – Matches: 124, Overs: 1880.1, Wickets: 245

Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan) – Matches: 176, Overs: 1868.4, Wickets: 347

Trent Boult (New Zealand) – Matches: 134, Overs: 1780.1, Wickets: 306

Mohammed Shami (India) – Matches: 115, Overs: 1668.5, Wickets: 277

Alzarri Joseph (West Indies) – Matches: 146, Overs: 1666.1, Wickets: 281

Ben Stokes (England) – Matches: 150, Overs: 1473.5, Wickets: 172

Mohammed Siraj (India) – Matches: 101, Overs: 1457.0, Wickets: 208