Across nearly 180 overs in a gruelling five-match series, Mohammed Siraj proved that “workload management” is often just a state of mind. The fiery pacer gave it everything he had, finishing as India’s top wicket-taker in England – and he did it without a single break between matches.
Mohammed Siraj Defies ‘Workload Management’ Norms
While someone like Jasprit Bumrah has often had to manage his fitness carefully, Siraj showed he could handle back-to-back assignments and still deliver performances that Indian fans haven’t seen from a pacer in years.
Now, his brother Mohammed Ismail has lifted the lid on how Siraj managed it. From his strict fitness routine to his carefully planned diet, Ismail revealed the hard work that went into making sure Siraj could cope with the heavy workload and still bowl at full intensity right till the end of the tour.
“Yes, absolutely. He focuses a lot on fitness. He avoids junk food and maintains a disciplined diet. Even living in Hyderabad, he rarely eats biryani – maybe occasionally, and only if it’s homemade. But no pizzas or fast food – he’s very disciplined about his body,” Mohammed Ismail was quoted as saying by India Today.
His brother, Mohammed Ismail, has now lifted the lid on how Siraj does it. Along with following a disciplined diet, Siraj sticks to a strict gym routine, one he never compromises on, no matter how busy his schedule. This combination of discipline, dedication, and smart preparation has helped him take on one of the most demanding workloads in modern cricket without slowing down.
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“100%, he never gives up, even when he wasn’t selected for the Champions Trophy squad, he didn’t let it demotivate him. Instead, he worked even harder. He hit the gym, focused on his fitness, and practiced hard every day – morning and evening. He identified what was missing and fixed it,” he added.
Match-Winning Performance by Siraj at The Oval
Mohammed Siraj’s stunning performance in the Oval Test has left his family and friends beaming with pride. Speaking to ANI, his brother Mohammed Ismail said, “We are feeling very proud. I want to congratulate him and all his teammates for making history. I just had a conversation with him, and he was very happy. I congratulated him, and I cannot wait for him to come back to India.”
Siraj’s friend, Irfan, shared the excitement too. “It is a matter of great happiness to us that Siraj did so well. On this auspicious occasion, we are celebrating in Hyderabad. We have also got firecrackers for the celebration. I have not talked to him yet,” he told ANI.
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Mohammed Siraj set the tone early in the match with figures of 4/86 in the first innings, teaming up with Prasidh Krishna to keep England to 247 runs and give India a narrow 23-run lead. In the final innings, with England cruising at 301/4 while chasing 374, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna stepped up again, bowling with heart and determination. Their effort turned the tide as India dismissed England for 367. Mohammed Siraj claimed a brilliant five-wicket haul (5/104), finishing the match with figures of 9/190 and earning the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
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