India pacer Mohammed Siraj brought a spark of passion and energy to the field on Day 5 of the 1st Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, as he stirred up the crowd in a moment reminiscent of former captain Virat Kohli’s iconic gestures.
With England needing 371 runs to win and having started strongly at 108/0, the Indian team was visibly under pressure. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett played with poise and determination, especially against pace ace Jasprit Bumrah, whose threatening spells were being handled with patience and caution.
Sensing the need to lift the intensity and bring the crowd into the game, Mohammed Siraj took matters into his own hands, not with the ball, but with sheer spirit. During Bumrah’s over, Siraj turned toward the stands, gesturing wildly with his arms, encouraging the fans to raise their voices and support the Indian spearhead.
The gesture instantly drew comparisons to Virat Kohli, who is well-known for involving the crowd during crucial moments in Test matches. Siraj’s animated appeal to the Leeds crowd, asking them to get behind Bumrah, sparked a louder cheer and injected some much-needed energy into the Indian camp.
A final-day drama sets the stage for a thrilling finish
Meanwhile, the match itself is heading for a dramatic finish. England have been solid in their chase of 371, reaching 117/0 at lunch on Day 5, with Ben Duckett unbeaten on 64 and Zak Crawley on 42. With all 10 wickets in hand and momentum on their side, the next two sessions promises to be a thriller.
Though Siraj had not yet struck with the ball on Day 5, his passionate actions reminded fans of his aggressive and emotionally charged playing style, a trait he shares with Kohli, under whom he flourished in the early years of his Test career.
