Siraj Steps Up, Akash Deep Impresses as India’s Seamers Outshine England

India’s pace attack has found fresh rhythm in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, with Mohammed Siraj stepping up in style and Akash Deep turning heads with his discipline. Bowling coach Morne Morkel was all smiles after their spirited display, and rightfully so—India’s quicks have outbowled England’s on surfaces that were anything but friendly.

Both Siraj and Akash Deep made the new ball talk on unhelpful pitches, doing what England’s bowlers could not. The pacers’ success has not only kept India in control but also underlined the bench strength that Morkel has been quietly building behind the scenes.

Siraj Finds His Mojo, and the Wickets Follow

Siraj hadn’t had the best of runs lately. The effort was always there—plenty of overs, energy, and heart—but the results weren’t lining up.

That changed in emphatic fashion.

Six wickets in the first innings and a crucial breakthrough late on Day Five—Zak Crawley, who had looked settled—was enough to turn heads again.

“He’s someone I really respect,” said Morkel. “He gives you everything, every ball. Sometimes maybe a little too much, but that’s part of what makes him special.”

Siraj’s spell wasn’t just impactful. It was sharp, relentless, and full of intent—hallmarks of a pacer who’s hit his rhythm. And with Bumrah resting, that performance became doubly important.

Akash Deep’s Rise Is No Fluke

Thrown into the mix as Bumrah took a break, Akash Deep didn’t just hold his own—he owned the stage.

He bowled like he belonged. Quick, accurate, and focused on one thing—attacking the stumps. Morkel, a fast bowler who knows a thing or two about seam bowling, was pleased with what he saw.

“He’s asking questions with every delivery,” said Morkel. “The pitch has been flat but he’s still getting that nip off the deck. England suits him. The more belief we show in him, the more dangerous he’ll become.”

The most encouraging sign? His hunger.

• Focused on a good length around off stump

• Clocking high speeds consistently

• Didn’t shy away from bowling long spells

Akash Deep hasn’t played many matches for India, but this performance looked like a turning point. It’s one thing to fill Bumrah’s shoes for a game; it’s another to make a case for permanent inclusion.

England’s Attack Falls Flat

England’s pacers haven’t enjoyed the same kind of success, and it’s not for lack of trying. The pitches have been sluggish, yes, but India’s bowlers have shown that there’s still something there for those who search hard enough.

Morkel didn’t take a dig at the English seamers, but the contrast was hard to ignore. While Siraj and Akash Deep kept things tight and created chances, England’s pacers rarely looked threatening once the new ball aged.

Here’s how the two sides’ pacers compared in this match:

The numbers don’t lie.

Captain Gill Drawing Praise with the Bat

While the focus was largely on the bowlers, Morkel didn’t forget to highlight another key figure in this Test—Shubman Gill.

Four innings. One double hundred. Two more centuries. That’s not a purple patch. That’s domination.

“He’s led from the front,” Morkel said, acknowledging the young captain’s growing stature. “He’s been composed, focused, and he’s made his runs count. Couldn’t ask for more.”

Gill’s innings have taken pressure off the middle order, allowing India to build strong totals and control the pace of the game. His decision-making on the field has been calm and calculated too, including the timing of the declaration.

The Declaration: Bold or Conservative?

There was chatter around when India declared. Some thought it came a bit late. Why not pull the plug earlier and give the bowlers more overs?

Morkel brushed off the noise.

“We got that one hour to bowl, that’s what we were after,” he said, shrugging off criticism. “We weren’t really worried.”

And it worked out. Siraj got that crucial wicket in the dying light. The rest of the attack tightened the screws heading into the final day.

There’s something about this team right now—calm, but sharp. They don’t panic, even when plans don’t go their way immediately.

Building Depth Without Bumrah

Bumrah is irreplaceable—let’s not pretend otherwise. But what India has managed in his absence is a win in itself.

Siraj is bowling like a leader. Akash Deep is proving he’s not just a one-off story. And the coaching group, led by Morkel, seems to be building a pace culture that’s more than just one superstar.

And that’s a scary thought for any opposition.