Australia’s captain, Mitchell Marsh, won the toss and had no hesitation in deciding to bat first on a hard surface that was offering good bounce for the batters to play their shots around the park. And his opening stand with Travis Head was an example of how much the right decision was from their end, as they made just one solitary change of bringing Nathan Ellis for Xavier Bartlett.

Head and Marsh saw off the first three overs from Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana, who moved the ball in both ways to get some swing and seam movement. But with the ball losing its shine, both the batters went after the short balls from the Indian pace attack and collected runs all around the park.

See Also: Why is Nitish Kumar Reddy not playing today in AUS vs IND 3rd ODI?

Later, it was Siraj who drew the first blood with the wicket of Head for 29 runs. The southpaw clubbed the leg-sided delivery of the Hyderabad bowler into the covers for a boundary before cutting the short of a length delivery straight into the hands of the backward point fielder.

Watch: Mohammed Siraj sends back Travis Head on 29 runs during AUS vs IND 3rd ODI

That was the eighth time in 19 innings Siraj dismissed Head across formats in the game. The left-handed opening batter of the Australian side became the fastest for the national side to complete 3000 ODI runs in 76 innings, overtaking Steve Smith’s 79 innings. He also took the fourth-lowest balls (2839) to complete the milestone, as Glenn Maxwell, Jason Roy, and Jos Buttler were ahead of him in the list.

Much needed! 💪

Just as the opening stand was starting to look dangerous, #MohammadSiraj gets #TravisHead! 👏🇮🇳#AUSvIND 👉 3rd ODI | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/0evPIuANAu pic.twitter.com/Kimj8efFnZ

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 25, 2025

After Head’s wicket, Marsh was dismissed for 41 runs in 50 balls with the help of five boundaries and one six at a strike rate of 82. Axar Patel was able to break the stumps of the right-handed batter as India started to get their way back into the game.

The visitors made two changes in the playing eleven, with Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna getting a look in place of Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who were ruled out of the clash with injury.

As India and Australia gear up for their much-anticipated ODI series starting on October 19 at Optus Stadium, Perth, the focus will be on two bowlers: Mohammed Siraj and Josh Hazlewood—a pair of proven accuracy and effectiveness in fast, limited-overs bowling. 
With Jasprit Bumrah rested, Siraj comes back to lead India's attack and will look to grab a spot after he missed the 2025 Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, Australia will look to Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc to take over for the injured Pat Cummins. 

Pace Battle: Siraj's Fire vs. Hazlewood's Accuracy 

Both players have had success given their different styles: Siraj providing aggression and swing and Hazlewood control and discipline. 
Siraj made his international debut in 2019 against Australia, taking 71 wickets in 44 ODIs. His best bowling figures of 6/21 came against Sri Lanka in 2023 when he tore through their batting order. 

Hazlewood made his ODI debut in 2010 against England and has proven to be one of Australia's most reliable pace bowlers. He has 72 wickets thus far in ODIs, also in 44 matches, as he remained consistent from his first match.

Statistics That Count: Average, Strike Rate, and Economy Referring to his bowling metrics, Siraj sustains a bowling average of 24.04 and a strike rate of 27.82 for an economy of 5.18. This illustrates that he gets wickets routinely without conceding many runs.

Hazlewood has been marginally more economical in terms of runs per over at 4.47, while maintaining a strong average of 25.15 and strike rate of 31.86 in his first 44 ODIs.

See Also: [WATCH] “Good friendship…”- Yashasvi Jaiswal shares bond with Shubman Gill and his leadership

Impact in Victories: Delivering When It Counts

Siraj's performance is at its peak when India wins. Out of 44 ODIs, India has won 33 with Siraj in the line-up—during which he has taken 59 wickets at an average of 20.47, a strike rate of 25.44, and an economy of 4.83. 

Hazlewood's record in winning causes is similarly sound. In his first 44 ODIs, Australia won 26, and the seam bowler picked up 45 wickets (with an average of 24.58 and economy of 4.76)—showing his penetrative spells and excellent control.

With nearly identical numbers after 44 ODIs, both Siraj and Hazlewood stand shoulder to shoulder statistically. Siraj’s aggression and wicket-taking bursts are perfectly matched by Hazlewood’s discipline and consistency.
As India and Australia lock horns in Perth, this battle between two world-class pacers could well decide who takes the upper hand in the opening ODI clash.

Mohammed Siraj, India’s leading wicket-taker in Tests this year, shared a light-hearted moment with West Indies batter Justin Greaves on Day Four of the second Test at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Monday.

The interaction between Siraj and Greaves quickly went viral on social media. During the 10th-wicket stand between Greaves and Jayden Seales, Siraj playfully signaled, seemingly trying to “warn” Greaves, as if telling him not to score any more runs.

India Vs West Indies: 2nd Test, Day 4 – Highlights

Justin Greaves did not listen to Siraj and smashed a fifty as India finally bowled out West Indies after almost 199 overs.

India needed just 121 runs to win the second Test and sweep the series 2-0 after bowling out the determined West Indies for 390. At stumps, India reached 63/1 in 18 overs.

Also Read -Mohmmed Siraj collapses after long spell to get king-like treatment during IND vs WI 2nd Test in Delhi

Greaves and Seales Frustrate India

Greaves, unbeaten on 50, and Jayden Seales (32) added 79 runs for the final wicket, frustrating the Indian bowlers at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.

John Campbell (115) and Shai Hope (103) had earlier guided West Indies into the lead after the tourists resumed at 173-2 while following on. The left-right pair added 177 runs for the third wicket.

Mohammed Siraj giving Justin Greaves the death stare after those shots!

Siraj’s aggression + energy = pure entertainment!

What a character on the field! #Siraj #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/dcoTXuzQM9

— Arshit Yadav (@imArshit) October 13, 2025

Campbell reached his first Test century with a six off Ravindra Jadeja before Jadeja trapped him lbw in the morning session. Hope continued after lunch and scored his first Test hundred in eight years with a boundary off Mohammed Siraj. Siraj got his revenge soon after by bowling Hope.

Kuldeep Yadav, who took 5/82 in the first innings, dismissed wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach lbw for two. He then struck twice in three balls, including skipper Roston Chase for 40.

However, Greaves and Seales held off the Indian bowlers for 133 deliveries using straight-bat shots until Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Seales.

India had enforced the follow-on after bowling out West Indies for 248, a deficit of 270 runs from India’s first-innings 518/5 declared. India had won the first Test in Ahmedabad by an innings.

The scorching heat of September at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi during the second Test between India and West Indies has made an effect on the Indian pacer, Mohammed Siraj, who collapsed on the floor, having been exhausted with two days’ of fielding in consecutive innings as India enforced the follow-on with the lead of 270 runs. The alarming moment came after Siraj’s six-over spell post lunch.

Siraj sent back Shai Hope in that spell. After completing the century, the right-handed batter was foxed by the short ball and got an inside edge into the stumps on the following day to get back into the dressing room for 103 runs. Siraj staggered back into the Indian dugout and slumped into the chair.

See Also: [WATCH] KL Rahul falls on ground in pain after ball hits him in box during IND vs WI 2nd Test

It prompted an immediate medical attention from the team’s medical staff. An ice packet was parked on his head and face to lower the temperature as the physiotherapist messaged his feet to relax his muscles as the commentators, Dinesh Karthik and Ian Bishopr, saw the moment.

Dinesh Karthik calls Mohammed Siraj’s message king-like treatment during IND vs WI 2nd Test

Siraj picked up two wickets in the clash. Apart from the wicket of Hope, he drew the first blood with the wicket of Tagenarine Chanderpaul. The left-handed opening batter wasn’t fully committed to the pull shot and mistimed it into the hands of the mid-wicket field.

“What we see right now is the fast bowlers being treated like kings after a hard spell. It's the same case everywhere, by the way. I just need to let viewers know that it's not just on the ground, off the field, but also in the com box. We've got to be careful when you do that with Bish. The ice (needs to be placed) straight on the head to calm him down at times. For Bish and for Siraj.” Karthik commented during the clash.

Twin centuries from Hope and John Campbell helped the visitors post 390 in the second innings which set a target of 121 runs for the Indian side, who batted to decrease the goal to 58 runs for the fifth and final day to seal the series by 2-0.  

Mohammed Siraj has been in exceptional form this year, having reached another landmark in the ongoing India vs. West Indies 2nd Test. He became the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket for 2025, a remarkable achievement that again highlights his continuing excellence and skill. This economic exploit has been welcomed by fans and cricket enthusiasts around the globe. An act that can only bolster Siraj's reputation as one of the leading fast bowlers of the modern era.

This year, Siraj has had a crucial role for India in Tests. He is not only extremely quick and capable of swinging the ball, but he has also consistently delivered to trouble batsmen both in India and abroad. His intelligence, control, and clever changes of pace make him a difficult proposition for any batsman. Whether as a new ball bowler taking early wickets or having to endure long bowling spells tiring the batsmen, Siraj has had an invaluable impact on India's bowling attack.

This accomplishment is even more notable when taking into account Siraj's journey. He has transitioned from a young pacer looking for an opportunity in the Indian team to the spearhead of the fast-bowling attack. His perseverance and commitment have been displayed abundantly since 2025 or so, and his tenacity, professionalism, and willingness to improve are representative of Siraj's journey. In 2025, he is now regarded as one of the most lethal fast bowlers in world cricket.

MIYAN SIRAJ IS UNSTOPPABLE IN 2025 😍

- He becomes the highest wicket taker in Tests in 2025. pic.twitter.com/sGDHThbQm8

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 13, 2025

See Also: "Throw you into..."- Gautam Gambhir leaks secret conversation with Shubman Gill while appointing him as India's Test captain

The Rise of Miyan Magic

Fans and commentators are now referring to him as "Miyan Magic," which is a reflection of his lively and emotional style of play. The energy that he brings to the stadium every time he runs to bowl makes the experience exciting for the spectators, and it is also a signal for the batsmen that they are about to face a tough test. Siraj's capacity to claim important wickets when it matters has changed the direction of many games.

In 2025, Siraj has exhibited not only proficiency but also mental fortitude, having challenged some of the best batsmen around the world and delivering under pressure. His tranquillity, accuracy, and timing have made him an indispensable asset to the Indian Test setup. Fans are already relishing the hope to witness another magical spell from him as India continues its association against the West Indies.

This accomplishment is not just a personal achievement. This is a sign to the young cricketers of the country that they have the potential to experience extraordinary success with hard work, perseverance, and self-belief. Siraj’s performances this year will be etched in memory for a long time, and he has already become one of the inspiring figures in world cricket today.

The fourth morning of the second Test between India and West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi started with the home side’s aim to break the overnight century stand between Shai Hope and John Campbell. Even though they were able to dismiss the latter after his respective century in the first session, they needed to break the defense of Hope. 

The wicket-keeper batter stretched himself into the 90s by the end of the first session before celebrating his third century of the longest format with a boundary. He got an outside edge to Mohammed Siraj as the ball died into the slip region for a boundary to push Hope, breaking the Test century streak of eight years and 58 innings, which is the most for the West Indies.

See Also: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma uncertain for ODI Word Cup 2027? Former Indian head coach predicts

But soon after the milestone, Siraj sent back the batter. On the previous ball of the dismissal, the Hyderabad-born pushed the batter into the back foot with a short ball before asking him to come forward. Hope wasn’t prepared for that and got the inside edge onto the stumps to go back to the dressing room for 103 runs.

Watch: Mohammed Siraj outfoxes centurion Shai Hopes during IND vs WI Delhi Test

Hope’s century and the lead meant this was the first time in 11 Tests where West Indies enforced the follow-on and had avoided the innings defeat. The last instance came against the New Zealand side 12 years ago in Dunedin when they settled for a draw.

𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 🔊

And Mohd. Siraj's celebration adds cherry on top 🥳

Updates ▶ https://t.co/GYLslRzj4G#TeamIndia | #INDvWI | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @mdsirajofficial pic.twitter.com/kPKKuhweGF

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 13, 2025

For the first time since the start of 2023, the West Indies have batted over 80 overs in both innings, which is a length of 22 red-ball encounters. Campbell’s 115 and Hope’s 103 are the first pair of batters to score centuries in the same innings following on since Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis against India in Colombo in 2017.

With the wicket, Siraj becomes the leading wicket-taker of the ongoing year in the longest format. He has overtaken the Zimbabwe pacer, Blessing Muzarabani, in the list. India has given a lead of seven runs so far in the Delhi Test and six wickets to pick.  

A video of Mohammed Siraj has created a lot of attention from the cricket fans on social media. In a video posted on the social media platform 'X,' we can see the pacer's angry face in public. 

As we see from the video, Mohammed Siraj was in a public place in a black half-sleeve shirt and white trousers. Naturally, to see Siraj, some of his fans approached him to take photos. As he is a star cricketer for Team India, he has faced this kind of situation before as well. But this time, perhaps something went wrong, which annoyed him very much. 

There was an orderly man in the crowd who went close to Siraj for a photo. He was on Siraj's back, mostly making slight body contact as well. The exact reason for the speed star's anger was not clear from the video, but it was clear that he felt annoyed about the person. Siraj even stopped walking and made a sharp look at the person also. This video has created a mixed reaction among the cricket fans on social media. Some of them see the incident as the attitude from a Team India cricketer. Though, what exactly happened is hard to tell from seeing the video.

Read More: Watch: Rohit Sharma's full speech at CEAT Cricket Awards in Mumbai after captaincy snub

The viral video gained a mix reaction 

Mohammed Siraj is now one of the most consistent bowlers for India in Test cricket. He showed his true potential during the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy. During the last match of the series, when India was trailing by 2-1, the Hyderabad-born helped India to win without the service of Jasprit Bumrah and level the series 2-2. Since then, he has become the new star bowler for Team India.

The pacer was in stunning form during the first test match of the 2-match series against the West Indies as well. During the first week of this month, when the India vs. West Indies Test match happened at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Siraj took 7 wickets in total, and India won the match precisely. 

Siraj showing attitude to fans?

1 match kya jita di iska attitude dekho 😭icc events mai hug hi dega. pic.twitter.com/3g0NHYj5uz

— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) October 8, 2025

A trio of Indian players impressed with incredible batting and bowling performances to gain a comfortable and huge victory over West Indies in the first Test of the two-match series at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which has gained new rating points in the latest ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings. The Shubman Gill-led side got an innings and 140-run victory inside three days in the WTC 2025-27. 

The right-arm fast bowler of the Blue Brigade, Mohammed Siraj, claimed seven wickets across two innings and was rewarded on the updated Test bowling ranking as he rose three spots to 12th in the table with a career-best rating. Jasprit Bumrah continues to maintain the top spot with three wickets in the same game, as Kuldeep Yadav jumps to the 21st rank. 

See Also: [WATCH] Suryakumar Yadav decodes Rohit Sharma in one word before revealing his toughest bowler ever faced

Updated ICC Men’s Test bowling ranking

Mohammed Siraj rises to Number 12 in ICC Test bowling ranking 

India’s opening batter, KL Rahul, has scored a Test century in the contest and has moved up four places to 35th overall, with Joe Root holding the top rank. Ravindra Jadeja, celebrating another century, gains six spots to move to 25th overall. He also increased his advantages to the top of the Test all-rounder as Washington Sundar joins him to get into the 11th spot.

There were plenty of changes near the top of the latest T20I rankings after the conclusion of the New Zealand and Australia series. Mitchell Marsh was superb for their 2-0 series victory and moved to the 10th overall rank in the list of T20I batters.

New Zealand’s Tim Robinson has gained a whopping 58 places to equal 22nd on the list of batters, as Bangladesh’s Saif Hasan has gone up 17 spots to 18th. In the T20I bowlers’ rankings, Rashid Khan. Has gained six places to move to the second place and is only behind Varun Chakravarthy.

Mohammed Siraj has always been a bowler who wears his heart on his sleeve. From his emotional debut to his rise as one of India’s premier fast bowlers, the Hyderabad pacer’s journey has been about grit, patience, and unwavering belief. Yet, despite being among the most consistent performers across formats, Siraj found himself on the sidelines during two major white-ball tournaments this year, the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai and the Asia Cup 2025.

Clear Communication Over Confusion

In a candid conversation with Express Sports, Siraj finally shared what went on behind the scenes. The 30-year-old clarified that there were no misunderstandings or disappointments, only open communication and respect between him and the team management.

“I’m 200 per cent confident of doing well in all three formats when given a chance,” Siraj said. “We played the Champions Trophy in Dubai, there was heat, and we needed more spinners there, that’s why I wasn’t picked. Rohit (Sharma) bhai told me that most of the bowling would be done by spinners and he didn’t want me to go there and just sit on the bench. He told me to spend time with family, practise and work on my fitness.”

Such clarity, Siraj said, made it easier to accept the decision. For a player who thrives on rhythm and confidence, understanding the team’s needs mattered more than being part of every squad.

Rested, Not Dropped

Siraj’s absence from the Asia Cup 2025 also had a simple explanation workload management. After a draining five-Test series in England, where he finished as India’s top wicket-taker, the management wanted to ensure the pacer was fresh for the long season ahead.

“The Asia Cup was right after we had returned from the five Tests in England, so it was an opportunity to rest a bit,” Siraj revealed. His words reflected a mature understanding of the demands of modern cricket where rest can sometimes be as vital as performance.

ALSO SEE: ‘The trophy will come to us…’- Former Indian spinner says Mohsin Naqvi has no authority over Asia Cup trophy

Back With a Bang

Any doubts about rust or lost momentum were silenced when Siraj returned for the first Test against the West Indies in Ahmedabad. The right-arm quick was relentless, dismantling the visitors with pace and movement. He finished the match with seven wickets, four in the first innings and three in the second, guiding India to an emphatic innings-and-140-run victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Siraj’s fiery performance was a reminder of why he remains central to India’s red-ball plans. Now, with the second Test in Delhi starting October 10, he looks eager to extend his purple patch.

Focused and Grounded

Siraj’s story continues to be one of perseverance. Rather than being disheartened by non-selection, he turned the breaks into opportunities for improvement, a mindset that sets him apart in an era where players often struggle to accept rotation and rest. “I just focus on my process,” Siraj said earlier this year. “Whether I’m playing or not, my job is to stay ready. When the team needs me, I’ll be there to deliver.”

As India’s pace arsenal keeps evolving under Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Siraj’s blend of aggression, maturity, and self-awareness makes him one of the most dependable bowlers in world cricket, ready for any challenge that comes his way.

Mohammed Siraj has secured his place in the Indian cricket team with strong performances both at home and abroad, but his journey has not always been easy.

Siraj talked about the harsh criticism he faced a few years ago when things were not going well for him, as online trolls made mean comments about him. His late father used to drive an auto rickshaw, and some people used this to insult Siraj during his bad days with the ball.

Also Read - 3 reasons why India picking Dhruv Jurel over Sanju Samson for AUS vs IND 2025 ODIs is the right move

Siraj Opens Up About Online Trolling

“The trolling was bad. When you perform well, fans and the world say, ‘There is no bowler like Siraj.’ But in the next game, if you don’t perform, they say, ‘What sort of bowler is this? Go and ride the auto with your father.’ What’s the point of this?”

“You are a hero in one match and zero in another,” he reflected.

Siraj said that not caring too much about what others thought was key to handling abuse and criticism.

“People change their opinion quickly. I decided that I don’t need outside approval,” he said. “What my teammates and family think of me is important. I don’t care what others think,” he added.

🗣️ Mohammed Siraj recalls MS Dhoni’s advice:
“When I joined the team, Mahi bhai told me — When you perform, the world will praise you. When you don’t, they’ll say go ride the auto with your father. You’re a hero one match, zero the next.” 🏏#Siraj #MSDhoni #Cricket… pic.twitter.com/QHYt7CJ3Ur

— NewsBite (@newsbite_in) October 6, 2025

Siraj’s Comeback and Form

Siraj’s comeback shows his mental strength. He led India’s bowling attack during the drawn series against England abroad. He has stepped up many times, especially when star pacer Jasprit Bumrah was out due to a serious back injury.

He continued his strong form in India’s win over West Indies at home and will look to keep performing during India’s tour of Australia.