Mohammed Siraj celebrating taking wicket as he surpasses Tendulkar’s international wicket tally
      India’s Mohammed Siraj celebrates reaching over 200 international wickets, overtaking Sachin Tendulkar’s tally in dramatic style.


Sheer Pace: Mohammed Siraj Surpasses Sachin Tendulkar in International Wickets

By M Muzamil Shami - August 2, 2025


Key Points:

  1. Mohammed Siraj becomes the leading international wicket‑taker among Indian fast bowlers.

  2. He officially overtook Sachin Tendulkar during the fifth Test vs England at The Oval.

  3. Siraj crossed the 200‑wicket milestone in just over 100 international matches.

  4. Emerges as India’s pace revolution icon, shifting narrative from spin dominance.


Historic Milestone: Siraj Overtakes Tendulkar

In a high‑stakes showdown at The Oval, Mohammed Siraj etched his name in cricket history by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of international wickets for India. The landmark came during India’s spirited fightback in the fifth Test against England. Siraj’s wicket haul now places him firmly among India’s all‑time bowling greats

Tendulkar, although renowned as one of cricket's finest batters, claimed 200 wickets over a long career. Siraj crossed that same figure in just 101 matches, highlighting both efficiency and impact

Series Performance & Consistency

Throughout the Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy series, Siraj took 18 wickets—leading the wickets tally and showcasing consistency and stamina across five Tests. His performance included a fiery four‑wicket haul at The Oval, dismissing big names like Joe Root, Ollie Pope, and Jacob Bethell to swing momentum back to India

Earlier in the series, Siraj delivered a standout six‑wicket haul (6/70) at Edgbaston, further cementing his reputation in challenging overseas conditions

Praise from the Master

Legendary figure Sachin Tendulkar himself showered accolades on Siraj, highlighting his remarkable accuracy, persistence, and ability to hit the right areas under pressure. Tendulkar called his transformation “rewarded persistence” after a stellar spell that included a six‑wicket effort at Birmingham

📈 Statistical Snapshot

Format Matches Wickets Average Career‑Best
Test + ODI + T20I ~101 ~202 ~29.1 6/15 (ODI)

Siraj’s success spans all formats, with standout performances notable in both Tests and ODIs. His ODI best remains 6/15 in Colombo, while his Test best is 6/70 against England

Why This Matters: The Power Angle

  1. Surprise & Outrage: Tendulkar, an icon with a long batting career, was never known primarily for bowling—yet now Siraj edges him out.

  2. Emotional Hook: A fast bowler from humble beginnings overtakes “The Master”—an inspiring underdog narrative.

  3. Urgency & Action: Just as Siraj sealed the wicket that broke the record, India's fightback is still unfolding—making fans crave the final outcome.

  4. Pace Revolution: India’s shift from spin‑reliant attacks to a fully formed pace arsenal, with Siraj at the helm.

FAQs

1. How many wickets did Siraj take to surpass Tendulkar?
Siraj reached approximately 200–202 international wickets, overtaking Tendulkar’s 200 total in Tests, ODIs and T20Is combined

2. When did Siraj achieve this milestone?
He crossed the mark during the second day of the fifth Test at The Oval, on August 1, 2025

3. Is Siraj India’s all‑time top wicket‑taker?
Not yet—Siraj has overtaken Tendulkar, but India’s leading wicket‑takers include spinners like Amit Mishra and Anil Kumble in Tests alone. In combined formats, Siraj is among the top pace bowlers.

4. How has he performed overseas?
He has impressive overseas figures: best Test and ODI five‑wicket hauls in England and other non‑Asian venues. He’s the only Indian pace bowler with four Test five‑fors outside Asia


Read the full detailed breakdown of Siraj’s rise and what it means for India’s pace attack → link in your blog post.
What’s your bold prediction: Will Siraj become India’s greatest fast bowler, ever? Share your pick below!