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Mohammed Siraj, India’s leading wicket-taker in the 5th Test match so far, whose four victims in England’s first innings included the prized scalp of Joe Root on Saturday, opined on how India’s bowlers managed to avoid the blistering assault suffered by New Zealand during England’s 3-0 whitewash earlier this month.

He reckoned it was due to their battery of 140kph/87mph-plus seamers, as well as a return to the same bowling strategies that had delivered a 2-1 series lead in the first four Tests of the Pataudi Trophy last summer.

Using his ability to kick the ball off a good length at high speeds, pacer Mohammed Siraj forced an edge off in form England batter ex-skipper Joe Root on the second day to remove him for 31, then returned on Sunday afternoon to pick off England’s final three wickets in the space of his final four overs.

Mohammed Siraj Reckons Indian Bowlers Plan Was To Stick To Basics As It Was A Matter Of One Ball To Dismiss In Form Jonny Bairstow

Earlier, England’s captain Ben Stokes had paid the price for what Kumar Sangakkara on-air described as “reckless batting” when he holed out to mid-off for 25, as India closed out an imposing lead of 132.

They were made to work for their dominant position, however, with in-form England batter Jonny Bairstow once again blazing his way to a century, his third in successive Tests this summer. Mohammed Siraj, however, said that the Indian bowlers had remained unruffled during his onslaught.

“As bowlers, we had to just keep patience,” Siraj said at the close of play. “Bairstow is in form and he has been continuously playing attacking batting since the New Zealand series. So we were aware his confidence was high. Our simple plan was to stick to our basics and, no matter what he did for us, it was a matter of one ball – be it an inswinger or seaming in off the pitch.”

In his spell immediately after lunch, Jasprit Bumrah – India’s stand-in captain – pegged Jonny Bairstow back with a mix of conventional Test bowling and some white-ball variations. He kept Jonny Bairstow rooted in his crease with good use of the yorker, and challenged him with slower balls alongside quicker deliveries pitched on a good length outside off stump.

With the pressure cranked up, Jonny Bairstow duly nicked the first ball he faced when Mohammed Shami entered the attack in Jasprit Bumrah’s place and departed for 106.

“When we saw the New Zealand series, we realized that our every bowler is 140-plus and they [New Zealand bowlers] didn’t have that,” Siraj said. “We had that ability and also we also had played against England last year. So that was our plus point, as [we] were aware of their weak points and that is why we got the success.”

After bowling England out for 284 runs, India was 124 for three at the close, giving them an overall lead of 257 runs, with two days of play remaining. India bowled out England for 284 in their first innings. Jonny Bairstow was the most successful batter for England as he smashed 106 off 140 balls.

Mohammed Siraj Feels The Pitch Would Favour Indian Bowlers In The Last Innings As The Ball Is Keeping Low

In successive Tests against New Zealand, the attacking approach of England’s batters helped them chase down three imposing 270-plus targets with ease. There’s little doubt that Ben Stokes’ men will attempt the same when their latest fourth innings gets underway, probably sometime on Monday afternoon. Mohammed Siraj, however, was undaunted, adding that he believes this pitch could favour India’s bowlers.

“The ball is now keeping low,” he said, “so in the second innings it will definitely help us.”

Mohammed Siraj, the Hyderabad pacer took four wickets for 66 in the home side’s first innings to emerge as India’s most successful bowler. India is leading 2-1 in the series. A victory in the current match will ensure a series triumph. Mohammed Siraj, who has 18 scalps in the current series so far, is feeling very optimistic about India’s chances of winning another Test series in England.