The third day of the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston witnessed high drama, brilliant cricket, and a fierce comeback from both teams. But what truly stood out was Siraj’s bold answer to England crowd boos, delivered not with words, but with two consecutive wicket-taking deliveries that changed the tone of the morning session completely.
A Tense Morning Begins with a False Start
The day began with England resuming their innings at 77/3, still trailing significantly behind India’s massive first innings total of 567, led by Shubman Gill’s majestic 269. As the tension in the stadium was rising, Mohammed Siraj stepped up to begin proceedings for India.
However, the Indian pacer had an unusual start. Siraj aborted his run-up not once but twice before delivering his first ball. This triggered an immediate and predictable response from the Edgbaston crowd. Boos echoed through the stands, followed by sarcastic applause when Siraj finally delivered the third attempt. Yet what unfolded next was something that turned jeers into stunned silence.
Siraj’s Bold Answer to England Crowd Boos: A Double Strike
In what can only be described as poetic justice, Siraj’s bold answer to England crowd boos came just two balls after the mockery. He dismissed Joe Root, one of England’s most prized batters, with a clever delivery that strayed down the leg. Root, attempting to flick it fine, could only manage a faint edge that carried comfortably to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. That was the first blow.
Siraj wasn’t done yet. The next delivery, sharp and short, reared up awkwardly toward Ben Stokes. The England captain was clearly caught off-guard, and the ball brushed his glove’s handle on its way to Pant again. Two world-class batters—gone in two balls. The celebration that followed was nothing short of fiery. Siraj, charged up and roaring, had delivered Siraj’s bold answer to England crowd boos in emphatic fashion.
England in Trouble: 84/5
With the early double strike, India reduced England to 84/5 within the first 10 deliveries of the day. The visitors were in complete control. The Edgbaston crowd, moments ago jeering, now watched in stunned silence.
It seemed like India would run through the rest of England’s batting lineup with ease. Siraj had put India on a path to possible innings domination, having already fulfilled the promise of Siraj’s bold answer to England crowd boos with that iconic over.
Enter Jamie Smith and Harry Brook
But England wasn’t ready to surrender. Young wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith walked in with intent. He sent the hat-trick ball from Siraj straight back down the ground for a confident boundary. That stroke set the tone for what was to come. Harry Brook, already well-set on 30 overnight, joined in the counterpunch.
The pair added urgency and flair to the innings. The Indian bowlers, perhaps a little stunned after the initial success, started to lose their lines. The pressure was turned back on the visitors.
Run-Fest Before Lunch
What followed was an unrelenting assault by the sixth-wicket pair. Smith, in particular, was brutal on Prasidh Krishna, plundering 23 runs off one over with four boundaries and a six. He raced from 11 to 49 in just 27 balls. Brook, not to be left behind, continued his elegant strokeplay. Though his fifty came in 72 balls, his batting never seemed labored.
India tried bringing on spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, but to no avail. Smith cracked back-to-back boundaries off Sundar and followed up with a four and a six against Jadeja. He brought up his maiden Test century—off just 80 balls—by lunch. It was the joint third-fastest ton by an England player.
At the other end, Brook remained unbeaten on 91. Together, the duo added an unbroken 165-run partnership off just 156 balls, lifting England from the brink of collapse to a respectable 249/5 by lunch. Though India still led by 338 runs, the balance had shifted significantly.
Siraj’s Spell Remains the Highlight
Despite England’s spirited fightback, the moment that will be remembered most from the day’s play was undoubtedly Siraj’s bold answer to England crowd boos. His reaction not only showed mental toughness but also demonstrated his ability to channel adversity into aggression and performance.
For any player, being booed by the crowd can be unnerving. Siraj, however, showed his class and maturity by letting the ball do the talking. His fiery celebration after dismissing Stokes wasn’t just about the wicket—it was a statement. The message was clear: mock me at your peril.
Social Media Applauds Siraj
Clips of Siraj’s bold answer to England crowd boos went viral within minutes. Social media was flooded with praise for the Indian pacer’s grit and mental strength. Fans and cricketing legends alike hailed his ability to handle pressure and respond with performance rather than confrontation.
Star Sports tweeted the moment with a fitting caption: “WHAT A START! Mohammed Siraj strikes in his very first over of the day, getting the big wicket of Joe Root!”
The video has since garnered millions of views across platforms, becoming a defining moment of the Edgbaston Test.
India’s Bowling: Beyond Siraj
While Siraj was exceptional, the rest of the Indian bowling unit couldn’t sustain the pressure. Prasidh Krishna had a forgettable session, leaking runs without control. His 23-run over to Smith completely changed the energy of the match. The spinners, too, were handled with ease by the aggressive English batters.
That said, Siraj’s twin strikes ensured India stayed in the contest. With the pitch offering bounce and movement, and England still trailing by 338, the next sessions are poised to be crucial.
Conclusion: Redemption in Roars
If ever there was a moment that summed up the spirit of Mohammed Siraj, it was this—booed by the crowd, under pressure in a high-stakes Test match, and yet, he roared back with two lethal blows in two balls. Siraj’s bold answer to England crowd boos wasn’t just a performance; it was a mindset, a declaration of resilience and fire.
As the Test continues to unfold, one thing remains clear—Siraj has not only won over fans but also etched a new chapter in India-England Test history with his gutsy response.
