Former Indian fast bowler RP Singh has showered praise on Mohammed Siraj for bowling a fine spell against England on the fifth day of the final Test match against England at the Kennington Oval, London. India had only 35 runs in the bank, whereas England had four wickets remaining.

Out of those four wickets, Siraj picked three and delivered when it mattered the most. Siraj accounted for Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton and Gus Atkinson. The fast bowler returned with figures of 5-104 in the second innings and bagged match figures of 9-190. Thus, Siraj was awarded Player of the Match for his terrific performance in the fifth Test.

The fast bowler from Hyderabad ended the series as the leading wicket-taker with 23 scalps in five Test matches.

RP Singh said Siraj has become the captain of the bowling department.

“It seemed like the match was slipping a little, but then came Mohammed Siraj. He took the match in his grasp with his good bowling, which we have been talking about from the first day. We saw potency in his bowling. He has become the captain of the bowling department,” Singh said on Sony Sports.

Siraj was just unplayable, and he bowled every ball with purpose to breathe down the neck of the English batters.

“Every ball was talking. There was not even one moment when you felt Siraj wouldn’t do anything. The volcano should erupt at times, and you need calmness on other occasions. There should be a blending of both things from time to time,” he observed.

Meanwhile, Siraj was able to clean up Gus Atkinson with a 143 kmph yorker, which was his fifth fastest of the series.

“There has never been an issue with Siraj’s fitness. He was bowling at almost the same speed. One gets more charged up when the atmosphere is like this. You feel that this is your moment, and you can change it in your favor. For that, you need to push yourself a little extra,” Singh said on Siraj’s final delivery.

This performance will certainly do a world of good to Mohammed Siraj’s confidence.