ENG vs IND 2025: Should Mohammed Siraj be rested for the 3rd Test?

Workload management is a very contentious topic in the Indian cricket circuit, and an issue that has led to some of the most baffling selection decisions in recent times. With cricket being played all year-round, across levels and formats, players hardly get time for rest and recovery. This packed schedule has cramped and made them injury-prone. There have been several instances of feeling burnt out among the players, particularly fast bowlers, due to the strenuous number of overs they are required to bowl in variable conditions. With the ongoing five-match test series between England and India for the 'Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy', the selectors and team management are faced with the difficult task of managing the loads of the Indian quicks. Their work has been exacerbated because of both tests, played out so far, ending late on day five. 

With a short turnaround of only three days between the second and third test, slated to be played at the iconic 'Home of Cricket', Lord's, from 10th July, it might be tempting for the coaching staff to ponder resting players who have had the maximum workout in the first two tests. One name that might stand out in this case is that of Mohammed Siraj. The Indian pace sensation is a literal workhorse and never lets his intensity drop a bit at any moment in the match. Bowling every time with all his heart, the Hyderabadi pacer is every captain's dream and go-to bowler. His exuberance reflects in his bowling, and that makes things happen even on the most placid of pitches.

Having featured in both of the tests so far, Siraj took the bowling leadership role in the second one at Edgbaston, Birmingham, in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. He produced a stunning display, struck six times in the first innings, at important moments, and never let the momentum drift towards England. Nicknamed 'Mia', Siraj stepped up and finished with figures of 6/70 that included the wickets of big fish in Joe Root and the opposition skipper, Ben Stokes. With this remarkable feat, he now boasts third third-best bowling figures by a visiting player at the venue.

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Going through a purple patch at the moment, the team management faces a peculiar dilemma over Siraj. The character in him would not want to take a break from the Lord's test and instead pair up with Bumrah once again to unleash fire on England. The latter was rested from the second test for similar reasons and is now definitely in line for a return in the starting XI come Thursday. Having mentioned all, it might still prompt the management to consider resting Siraj and perhaps risk weakening the bowling arsenal. However, in the long term, rests like these shall certainly aid the lion-hearted bowler in prolonging his career. A look at the series statistics of the Indian quicks, so far, might help comprehend the impact of each one of them, and thus, the consequences of resting them. 

BOWLER	INNINGS	OVERS BOWLED	WICKETS TAKEN	RUNS CONCEDED	AVERAGE	ECONOMY
Akash Deep	2	41.1	10	187	18.7	4.54
Md. Siraj	4	72.3	9	300	33.33	4.13
P. Krishna	4	62	6	331	55.16	5.33
J. Bumrah	2	43.4	5	140	28	3.2

Whatever the decision, and then the subsequent changes in the playing XI for the upcoming test, India boasts a pace battery unlike any other team. With players like Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana waiting on the fringes, the bowling attack looks sorted and potent. Also, there is no big series after this one, so the management and players might want to give it all and produce the best cricketing stuff. This would not only position and enable India to win a test series in England after 2007, but also mean a noble start in this new World Test Championship (WTC) Cycle 2025-27.