With or without Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj is ready to be the spiritual and actual leader of Shubman Gill’s attack: Greg Chappell

Former Indian head coach Greg Chappell has heaped praise on the Indian seamer Mohammed Siraj, who ended the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England as the leading wicket-taker, scalping 23 wickets from five Tests.

Writing a column for ESPNCricinfo, Chappell stated that India was competitive throughout the five-match Test series against England mainly because of having an aggressive seamer like Siraj in their playing XI.

“I don’t think it is unfair to say that, despite the many wonderful batting efforts, Siraj was the main reason that India was competitive in the series,” Greg Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.

“To be fair, he has turned in many fine performances before, at the MCG, the Gabba, Perth, Lord’s, Cape Town and Birmingham, but what he did at The Oval was his true coming of age. With or without Bumrah, he is ready to be the spiritual as well as actual leader of Gill’s attack,” he went on to write.

While Siraj started the Oval Test with the figures of 4/86 in the first innings, he continued his heroics in the second innings as well, scalping 5/104, propelling India to a six-run narrow win, which helped them to draw the Test series 2-2.

Interestingly, Siraj has bowled a total of 185 overs in the just-concluded five-match Test series, becoming the lone pacer from both teams to play all five Tests on the tour. He emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the series with 23 wickets.

“To bowl more than 185 overs in five Test matches over six weeks in any conditions is a physical, mental and emotional marathon. To do so with consistent intensity, while carrying the attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah for stretches, is bordering on heroic,” he wrote.

Furthermore, Chappell wrote that India’s victory at the Oval shares several similarities with Australia’s win against England in 1972 under his brother’s captaincy, Ian Chappell. 

“The parallels are too strong to ignore,” he added.

“In 1972, Australia arrived in England in a transitional phase. Bill Lawry had departed. Graham McKenzie, Ian Redpath – names synonymous with the preceding era – were gone. A young side, led by my brother, stood on the brink of the unknown. When we won the final Test to draw the series, with Dennis Lillee announcing his ascension to the Australian fast-bowling throne, we didn’t just save face. We established a tone – one of aggression, unity, and belief – that underpinned the golden era of the 1970s,” he wrote.

“India in 2025 finds themselves at a similar inflection point. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin are all absent. Their replacements didn’t just fill gaps; they filled their boots and went on to create new ones. Shubman Gill, entrusted with the captaincy, brought a calm authority and youthful assertiveness,” he concluded.

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