With Jasprit Bumrah likely to miss the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has voiced his confidence in Mohammed Siraj to step up and deliver a match-winning performance. Steyn took to social media platform X to predict that Siraj will take a five-wicket haul in the crucial Test at the Oval.

Bumrah's absence is part of a pre-series plan to manage his workload, having already played three Tests. He is the joint-highest wicket-taker for India in the series, alongside Siraj, with 14 wickets. This places added responsibility on Siraj, who is the only Indian speedster to have played in all matches of the series thus far, bowling 139 overs across seven innings.

Siraj has shown glimpses of his potential throughout the series. In the second Test at Edgbaston, where Bumrah was also rested, Siraj led the bowling attack, taking 6/70 in the first innings and playing a crucial role in India's victory. Overall in the series, Siraj has only gone wicketless in one innings, demonstrating good control and consistency. As of July 30, 2025, Siraj is also just one wicket away from reaching 200 international wickets.

While Siraj has been a regular in the Indian Test team for the last five years, he has faced criticism for his average being over 30. However, he has a good track record when leading the bowling attack. In 15 matches where he has been the most experienced bowler, he has often risen to the occasion.

Alongside Siraj, the Indian pace attack is expected to include Akash Deep, who returns after recovering from injury, and potentially Arshdeep Singh, who could make his Test debut.

India will be aiming to draw the series, currently trailing 2-1. They will take confidence from their 157-run victory at the Oval in 2021, where Siraj was also a part of the team. Although he only took one wicket in that match, a strong collective effort secured the win. India's strong batting performance in the previous match in Manchester, where they batted for 143 overs to secure a draw, will also give them confidence. Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar all scored centuries in that innings.