With 37 Test wickets in 2025, Mohammed Siraj leads the charts — discover the key factors behind his remarkable consistency and success.

Mohammed Siraj‘s surge as the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket in 2025 is a story all should know. The tale includes transformation, resilience, and a relentless desire to excel.
Emerging as a standout performer on some of the toughest stages, Siraj has inspired cricket fans and experts alike with his ability to outthink batters, lead the attack in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, and maintain fiery energy throughout gruelling contests.
Mohammed Siraj’s 2025 Test numbers
Siraj tops India’s wicket charts in 2025, playing 15 innings in eight Tests and bowling a demanding 260.5 overs, a remarkable workload for a fast bowler.
He now has 37 wickets at an average of 26.5 and an economy of 3.75, including two five-wicket hauls and the best figures of 6/70. His strike rate of 42.3 reflects his ability to break partnerships and maintain pressure throughout spells, contributing a dot ball percentage of over 71%.
These numbers include marathon spells such as his 9-wicket haul at the Oval versus England and key wickets in subcontinent conditions despite little seam or swing assistance.
Notably, Siraj’s consistency is reflected in his performance against the best opposition. Against England, he took 23 wickets in a five-Test series, earning the well-deserved Player of the Series award.
Against West Indies in the second Test, he became the world’s leading Test wicket-taker for 2025, surpassing Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani (36 wickets in nine Tests). England’s Josh Tongue (19 wickets), and Ben Stokes (17 wickets) trailed behind.
Siraj starred in the first Test against West Indies at Ahmedabad as well, returning figures of 4/40 and 3/31.
Read More: IND vs WI 2025-26, 1st Test, Day 1: Siraj & Bumrah limit West Indies to 162; India 121-2 at stumps
Test career in numbers
Since his debut in 2020, Mohammed Siraj now boasts 133 wickets in 43 Tests at an average of 29.7, including eight four-wicket hauls and five Test fifers. His continued improvement, knack for seizing big occasions, and hunger for wickets make him central to India’s Test ambitions and a model for the next generation of Indian pacers.
What Makes Siraj a standout performer
Unrelenting Zeal: Siraj’s infectious energy, willingness to bowl long spells even late in matches have made him the heartbeat of India’s pace attack.
His intensity is unmatched. The right arm pacer runs for every delivery like it is the last to prove his talent. Whether the pitch helps pacers or not, Siraj is always charging in, as highlighted in the first match against West Indies where he bowled 24 tough overs for 3 wickets on a slow wicket.
Skillful evolution: Siraj has expanded his repertoire with reverse swing and deceptive seam movement, mixing up lengths and lines to consistently outthink batters.
He has added new variations, bowled disciplined spells even under pressure, and used innovative field placements to force mistakes. The ability to swing the old ball, control at high speeds, and mental fortitude in crunch situations have turned him into a “genuine match-winner”.
Leadership and Presence: Siraj hasn’t just played alongside Jasprit Bumrah, but he has matched him for impact and, in Bumrah’s absence, led the attack with distinction. His leadership came to the fore during the England series, where he played all five Tests and took over 23 wickets across 185+ overs.
Wasim Akram emphasised how Siraj is no longer a support bowler but India’s pace spearhead. Matches like the fifth Test at the Oval, where Siraj took nine wickets and sealed a dramatic win by cleaning up England’s tail, exemplify this spirit.
Tactical intelligence: Siraj’s bowling has become smarter; he frequently sets up opposition batters, changing angles and using the crease to make each ball an examination. His reverse swing and ability to read the game allow him to remain dangerous even when the ball is old or the pitch is flat.
Read More: Mohammed Siraj set a prime example by the effort (185.3 overs) he put in ATT 2025
Commitment that has been hailed
Siraj’s match fitness and commitment have been called out by legends and teammates alike. Wasim Akram’s commentary on Siraj’s ability to bowl nearly 186 overs in five tough Tests speaks to his physical resilience and mental hunger, a rare combination even among elite fast bowlers.
Ravichandran Ashwin recently lauded Siraj for repeatedly running in tirelessly on unhelpful New Delhi pitches, showing heart and heroics when the team needed it most. Dinesh Karthik noted the ‘king-like treatment’ given to Siraj after his workhorse performance against West Indies, where cameras caught teammates and support staff recognising his tireless contributions.
Harbhajan Singh lamented Siraj’s omission from India’s Asia Cup squad, pointing out his “X-factor” and ability to make the bowling unit look stronger. This blend of respect and recognition from peers testifies to Siraj’s standing as one of the premier bowlers in the world this year.
Siraj’s skill improvement and varieties
Mohammed Siraj’s technical growth has been evident in 2025. Opting for reverse swing and smart seam positions, Siraj has left batters guessing, frequently setting up wickets with careful planning.
He has adapted his approach for different surfaces, balancing aggression and control to minimise boundary balls while maximising wicket-taking opportunities.
Siraj has also refined his mental game, staying patient when wickets don’t come quickly and using subtle variations to unseat set batters.
Read More: Kuldeep Yadav proved his utility once again in Tests against West Indies; Why is he indispensable?