Mohammed Siraj has built his reputation on pace, movement and relentless accuracy. When he gets the seam upright and finds the right length, he can make even established batting line-ups look vulnerable. His ability to extract movement with the new ball, attack the stumps and maintain intensity across long spells has made him one of India’s most important fast bowlers.
Siraj’s standout performances have come in a variety of conditions. He has produced career-best Test figures in Cape Town, dismantled Sri Lanka in the 2023 Asia Cup final and delivered his first Test five-wicket haul at the Gabba during India’s historic 2020–21 Australia tour.
Here are the top 5 best bowling performances of Mohammed Siraj, ranked by their impact, skill and match context.
Mohammed Siraj’s Best Bowling Performances
Opponent | Format | Match Date | Bowling Figures | Key Highlight |
South Africa | Test | Jan. 3, 2024 | 6/15 | South Africa bowled out for 55 in the first session |
Sri Lanka | ODI | Sep. 17, 2023 | 6/21 | Four wickets in one over in the Asia Cup final |
Australia | Test | Jan. 18, 2021 | 5/73 | Maiden Test five-wicket haul at the Gabba |
West Indies | Test | Jul. 23, 2023 | 5/60 | Led India’s pace attack at Port of Spain |
England | Test | Aug. 16, 2021 | 8/126 | Eight-wicket match haul in India’s Lord’s victory |
1. 6/15 vs South Africa, Cape Town — 2024
Siraj’s 6/15 against South Africa at Newlands stands as his best Test bowling figures. It was a spell built around accuracy, seam movement and sustained pressure, with the South African batting order unable to withstand India’s fast-bowling attack.
Cape Town Spell Stats
Overs: 9
Maidens: 3
Runs: 15
Wickets: 6
Economy rate: 1.66
Siraj found a probing line outside off stump and repeatedly made the batters play. The surface offered variable bounce and movement, but his control allowed him to take full advantage of those conditions.
He removed both openers, including South African captain Dean Elgar, before continuing through the middle and lower order. By lunch on the opening day, South Africa had been dismissed for just 55.
Why the spell stands out
Six wickets in one session: Siraj took all six wickets before lunch.
Excellent seam presentation: He maintained an upright seam rather than constantly changing his approach.
Relentless accuracy: His ability to hit a testing length gave the pitch an opportunity to create uncertainty for the batters.
It remains one of the most complete fast-bowling spells of Siraj’s career.
2. 6/21 vs Sri Lanka, Colombo — 2023
Siraj’s 6/21 in the 2023 Asia Cup final is arguably his most destructive ODI performance. Playing against Sri Lanka in the final, he turned the contest into a one-sided affair during an extraordinary powerplay spell.
Asia Cup Final Spell Stats
Overs: 7
Maidens: 1
Runs: 21
Wickets: 6
Economy rate: 3.00
After Jasprit Bumrah opened the scoring with a wicket, Siraj took control in his second over. He claimed four wickets in the over, dismissing batters at 3.1, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.6.
Sri Lanka quickly collapsed to 12/5. Siraj later returned to complete the job, finishing with 6/21 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for only 50.
What made Siraj so effective?
His outswing was a major factor. By repeatedly attacking a testing line, he encouraged tentative shots from Sri Lanka’s top order. Once the wickets began falling, he maintained the pressure instead of searching for unnecessary variations.
The result was one of the most memorable fast-bowling displays in an Asia Cup final.
3. 5/73 vs Australia, Brisbane — 2021
Siraj’s first Test five-wicket haul came at one of the most difficult venues for visiting teams: the Gabba in Brisbane.
India entered the final Test of the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy without several senior bowlers because of injuries. That left the relatively inexperienced Siraj with a major responsibility in the pace attack.
Gabba Second-Innings Spell Stats
Overs: 19.5
Maidens: 5
Runs: 73
Wickets: 5
Economy rate: 3.68
Siraj delivered when India needed him most. He dismissed important Australian batters, including Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, helping India restrict Australia’s second-innings advantage.
His five-wicket haul played an important role in setting up India’s famous chase of 329 on the final day.
The performance was particularly significant given the personal circumstances surrounding Siraj’s tour. He had lost his father before the series, yet continued to perform under considerable emotional pressure.
Key strengths on display
Use of steep bounce: Siraj used the Brisbane surface to challenge Australia’s top order.
Attack from the crease: He maintained pressure rather than simply bowling defensively.
Mental resilience: His five-for came in a high-pressure Test in which India’s bowling resources were severely stretched.
The Gabba spell marked an important step in Siraj’s development as a Test bowler.
4. 5/60 vs West Indies, Port of Spain — 2023
Siraj’s 5/60 against West Indies at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain showed another side of his bowling. Unlike his spells in Cape Town and Brisbane, this performance came on a slower, flatter surface where conventional seam movement was less pronounced.
Trinidad Spell Stats
Overs: 23.4
Maidens: 6
Runs: 60
Wickets: 5
Economy rate: 2.53
With the match drifting toward a draw, Siraj found a way to create pressure. He used reverse swing and wobble-seam deliveries while maintaining tight lines around the stumps.
His spell helped trigger a late West Indies collapse, with Siraj taking five of the final six wickets.
Why it matters
The performance demonstrated that Siraj can adapt when the conditions do not naturally favour fast bowling. Instead of relying solely on conventional movement, he adjusted his approach and concentrated on accuracy, reverse swing and stump-to-stump bowling.
That ability to find different methods of taking wickets is an important part of his development as a Test bowler.
5. 8-Wicket Match Haul vs England, Lord’s — 2021
India’s 151-run victory at Lord’s in 2021 remains one of the memorable wins of their Test campaign, and Siraj played a central role with an eight-wicket match haul.
Lord’s Test Match Figures
First innings: 4/94 in 30 overs
Second innings: 4/32 in 10.5 overs
Match total: 8/126
The defining spell came in England’s second innings. India were defending 272 on the fifth day, and Siraj maintained his intensity as the pressure increased.
He finished with 4/32, including the wickets of Jos Buttler and James Anderson, helping India bowl England out and secure a 151-run victory.
Siraj’s performance also highlighted his ability to sustain pace deep into a Test. He continued to attack with energy late on the fifth day rather than simply settling for containment.
Mohammed Siraj Bowling Records: Quick Answers
What are Mohammed Siraj’s best Test bowling figures?
Siraj’s best Test figures are 6/15, achieved against South Africa at Cape Town on January 3, 2024.
What are Mohammed Siraj’s best ODI bowling figures?
His best ODI figures are 6/21, recorded against Sri Lanka in the 2023 Asia Cup final at Colombo.
Has Mohammed Siraj taken a five-wicket haul in all three formats?
Siraj has taken five-wicket hauls in Tests and ODIs. His career-best T20I figures are 4/17.
How many wickets did Siraj take in his debut Test series in Australia?
Siraj took 13 wickets in three Tests during the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, finishing as India’s leading wicket-taker in the series.
Final Verdict
Mohammed Siraj’s best bowling performances show how his game has developed across formats and conditions. His 6/15 against South Africa remains his finest Test figures, while the 6/21 against Sri Lanka stands out as his most devastating ODI spell.
The five-wicket haul at the Gabba demonstrated his ability to lead an inexperienced attack under pressure, while his performances against West Indies and England highlighted his adaptability and stamina.
Taken together, these spells explain why Siraj has become such an important part of India’s pace attack: he combines seam movement, pace, aggression and the ability to adjust his plans when conditions demand it.
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