'When Siraj Took That Final Wicket...': McCullum's Admiration For Indian Star

News18

04-08-2025

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England's coach Brendon McCullum was full of praise for Mohammed Siraj for taking nine wickets in the final Test. He called the five-match series one of the best he's experienced.
England's head coach Brendon McCullum on Monday praised India pacer Mohammed Siraj for his remarkable effort in the final Test and described the five-match series as one of the best he has been part of.
Siraj stood out by delivering an exceptional performance under pressure, taking nine wickets in the fifth Test, which India won by six runs. He finished the series with 23 wickets, the highest among both teams.
'When Siraj took that final wicket, as much as we were incredibly disappointed, (I had) admiration for him and the fight he has got as a cricketer and the way he was able to do what he did," McCullum was quoted as saying on Sky Sports after the match.
What Did Brendon McCullum Say About IND-ENG Series?
The Test series was fiercely contested and full of drama, making it one of the most intense showdowns in recent memory.
'That is the best five-match Test series I have ever been a part of and witnessed. It just oscillated so much right throughout the six weeks and I felt it had everything. I thought there was quite a lot of hostilities at times, camaraderie at times, great cricket at times, there was some average cricket because of the pressure both sides were under," said the former dashing Kiwi batter.
'We knew it was going to be hard coming into the series, we knew they were going to test us physically and mentally. I think it tested both teams a lot more than what was expected. It was a cracking series and I think 2-2 was a fair reflection."
Reflecting on the mistakes and turning points throughout the series, McCullum noted 'Playing all five days of all five Tests becomes a mental exertion. Obviously, we had to call in fresh legs in this last Test match. You know it is coming but you don't know what is coming until it hits you."
'It is the hardest thing in cricket playing a five-game series and being tested as much as you are for as long as you are. It challenges not just as a sportsperson but your character. It questions how much you want it. As a fan of a game, I thought it was an unbelievable spectacle."
'You are always going to have missed opportunities throughout a series. India will probably look back at some opportunities they had — maybe in first test at Headingley. Even at Lord's, the natural rhythm of a game will always serve up certain situations.
'Even last night, we had Brook and Root playing as well as they were. For India to come back and take 7-60, it is another great example of what can happen in this great game we play," he said.
McCullum concluded by acknowledging the team's growth and understanding that their style of play gives them the best opportunity to succeed, even if it doesn't guarantee victory.
'I think when we move away from our style of cricket, that is when we become vulnerable and our wicket-taking drops. If we stay true to what we believe in, backing it, and almost double down on the philosophy, it gives us our greatest opportunity. I think that is what we were able to do at Lord's.
'With bat in hand we were brave when we needed to be. There are many different things throughout the series where we grew as a team.
'It is hard to say when you lost the last Test but throughout the changing room was growing and was understanding that when we play our style, it gives us our greatest chance. It doesn't guarantee anything but it gives us our greatest chance."
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brendon mccullum India Mohammed Siraj
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