Mohammed Siraj etched his name into Indian cricket history on Friday, becoming only the fourth Indian bowler to claim a five-wicket haul at Edgbaston. His fiery 6/70 against England in the ongoing second Test put him alongside legends Kapil Dev, Chetan Sharma, and Ishant Sharma as part of an elite club of Indian pacers to achieve the feat at this historic venue.

Siraj’s six-for is also the best bowling performance by an Indian at Edgbaston since Chetan Sharma’s 6/58 in 1986 and the first by any visiting pacer to take six wickets in an innings at the ground since 1993.

“It’s unbelievable because I was waiting for this for a long time,” Siraj said after the innings. “I have bowled well but never got a five-for here. I have only got four-fors, so this one is very special.”

The 31-year-old Hyderabad pacer ripped through England’s top order early on Day 3, reducing them to 84/5 before a stunning 303-run partnership between Harry Brook (158) and Jamie Smith (184*) brought the hosts back into the game. But Siraj returned with the second new ball to wipe out the tail, ending England’s innings at 407 in reply to India’s 587.Leading an inexperienced pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj embraced the responsibility. “My aim was to not try too much and bowl in the right areas. I love responsibility and I love the challenge,” he said.

As he walked off, ball raised high and applauded from all corners, Siraj was greeted with a warm hug by Bumrah himself — a fitting tribute to India’s new pace spearhead.Best bowling figures for Indian bowler at Edgbaston

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