Major Milestone Achieved! Mohammed Siraj Becomes 1st Debutant In 7 Years To Pick Five Wickets In A Test

Mohammed Siraj on Tuesday became the first debutant for India in seven years to take five wickets in a test match.

Image: Mohammed Siraj (@mohammedsirajofficial/Instagram)

With a haul of five wickets for 77 runs in 36.3 overs, Mohammed Siraj on Tuesday became the first debutant for India in seven years to sweep away five stumps in a test match. The major breakthrough for the pace bowler came when he finished the second Test match against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Siraj took away Cameron Green's wicket in both the innings while dismissed Marnus Labuschagne in first innings, and Travis Head and Nathan Lyon in second innings. His considerable contribution helped team India defeat Australia by eight wickets in the second Test bringing series-levelling triumph against the hosting Aussies. On Monday, after the third day's play, Siraj had said that he focused on bowling dot balls and maiden overs and not try anything different. He also gave credit to senior bowler Jasprit Bumrah for encouraging him throughout his debut Test. It is pertinent to mention that Mohammed Shami was the last India bowler to take at least five wickets in a debut Test when he got a nine-wicket haul against West Indies in November, 2013. Besides Shami, R Ashwin too took more than ive wickets in a Test on debut back in November, 2011 against West Indies. Acknowledging the debutant's tremendous performance, India skipper Ajinkya Rahane on Tuesday said, "I am really proud of all the players. I want to give credit to the debutants Siraj and Gill, the character they showed after the Adelaide loss was great to see." "Siraj has shown that he can bowl with discipline. It's really difficult for debutants to bowl with discipline but that's where I think the First-class experience comes in handy," Rahane said.