In a remarkable display of bowling prowess, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep made history as they led the Indian cricket team to an unprecedented achievement during the second Test match against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Their outstanding performance enabled India to dismiss six English batters without seeing them score—a first in Test cricket.
Siraj shone brightly, recording six wickets for 70 runs across 19.4 overs, while Akash Deep contributed significantly with four wickets for 88 runs in 20 overs. Together, this duo helped bowl England out for 407 runs in the first innings. Notably, this marks the first instance where six English players were dismissed for ducks in one innings, surpassing the previous record of five batters failing to score.
The bowling onslaught began with Akash Deep, who struck early by dismissing opening batsman Ben Duckett for a duck, caught at slip by Shubman Gill. Following that, Akash sent Ollie Pope back to the pavilion on the very next ball, achieving a golden duck. Siraj then took charge on the morning of July 4, dismissing captain Ben Stokes for a golden duck as well, leading to an impressive collapse of the English batting lineup, with Siraj also taking out Bryon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir without any runs.
This achievement makes Siraj the first Indian bowler to claim a six-wicket haul in both England and South Africa, showcasing his versatility and skill on different pitches. Additionally, he joins a notable list of eight Indian bowlers who have achieved the feat of taking six or more English wickets in a single innings in England, emphasizing his significant contribution to Indian cricket history.
This successful performance not only underscores the strength of the Indian bowling lineup but also sets a thrilling stage for the remainder of the series. With their resilient spirit and confidence, the Indian team heads into the next matches with optimism and determination to continue their winning momentum.