Siraj | Pakistan

Red-hot Mohammed Siraj returned figures of 4-40 as India dismissed the West Indies for 162 and then turned the screw with the bat on day one of the first Test on Thursday. The hosts were 121-2 at stumps with KL Rahul unbeaten on 53 in front of a sparse crowd at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. Rahul reached his 20th Test fifty and stood firm along with skipper Shubman Gill, on 18, at close of play. A depleted West Indies won the toss but the Indian attack struck regular blows to bowl out the visitors in 44.1 overs in the second session. Siraj drew first blood with the wicket of Tagenarine Chanderpaul for a duck and extended his tally of Test wickets to 27 this year, having played a key role in India’s 2-2 draw in England. “The England series gave me a lot of confidence,” Siraj said. “It was a competitive cricket series in England against a strong side, so to perform there gives you added confidence.” On the comparatively inexperienced West Indies batting line-up, Siraj said: “I had to work ha...

Mohammed Siraj was the hero as India beat England by just six runs in a thrilling fifth Test at the Oval on Monday to end the series level at 2-2. England, set 374 to win, were bowled out for 367, with fast bowler Siraj taking 5-104, including a sensational burst of 3-9 on Monday’s final morning. It is India’s narrowest winning margin in a Test match. “To be honest, it is so amazing,” Siraj told Sky Sports. “From day one to here, everyone fought so hard, so we are very happy. “I just wanted to make sure I hit the right areas, the wickets would fall, and anything else would be a bonus. “When I woke up, I believed I could do it.” After resuming on 339-6, England lost four wickets for 28 runs on the final morning of a dramatic series. The home side were soon 354-8 after Siraj, the leading bowler on either side this series, struck twice to remove Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton. When injured England last man Chris Woakes came in to bat with his left arm strapped up owing to an injured shoulder, England still needed...