West Indies get the full Siraj experience

Pacer claims four wickets as India bowl out their opponents for 162 on opening day of the first Test in Ahmedabad

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN

THE last time Mohammad Siraj turned out in India creams, he delivered a near virtuoso spell to help the visitors to a bumclenching final day win at The Oval over England on a gloomy August morning.

Since that day in London, Siraj has seen his national team-mates either win the Asia Cup or turn out for various sides in the Duleep Trophy. It didn't come as any surprise when the pacer didn't feature in the UAE. He had played in the T20 World Cup in 2024 but his presence in the shortest form had always come with a caveat. So, there was just a shrug when the likes of Arshdeep Singh were preferred.

In the longest format though, the Hyderabadi pacer remains the go-to option as long as you discount Jasprit Bumrah. After turning out for the India 'A' side against a visiting Australian outfit in Lucknow, Siraj was back at it against West Indies on Thursday morning.