Mohammed Siraj Under Fire: Replacements Who Can Take His Place In Test Team

Mohammed Siraj has struggled in Tests in 2026 [Source: AFP]

Could Mohammed Siraj’s time be up in Test cricket? This has been a question that will continue to heat up in the next few days. His Test numbers in 2026 have witnessed a decline, and the pacer has lacked cutting edge in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2026 against East Zone.

On a good day, Siraj can be an excellent red-ball bowler, and he has the capability to run through an entire opposition all by himself. However, in the last few months, his pace has dropped, and the Indian seamer has largely been ineffective.

Mohammed Siraj's 2026 Test numbers at a glance

While he dominated Test cricket in Bumrah’s absence in 2025, Siraj has not been the same this year, and the numbers tell the truth.

(Siraj Test stats in 2025, 2026)

• As the data reveals, Siraj has failed to replicate his 2025 form in the ongoing year. Last year, the Indian seamer picked 43 wickets in 10 Tests, with an impressive strike rate of 43.47.
• This year, however, the numbers have declined, as the Hyderabad pacer has grabbed just five wickets in three Tests, and the strike rate has gone up to 68.40.
• Moreover, in the ongoing Duleep Trophy, he conceded runs at a rapid rate as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took him to the cleaners.

With his speed and performances going down, the team might look for an alternative in the playing XI, and here are the players who can replace Siraj in the Indian Test side.

1) Auqib Nabi

For some reason, despite putting up stellar numbers in the domestic circuit, Auqib Nabi has yet to break into the Indian playing XI.

Last season, he finished as the leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy, and suddenly he grabbed all the limelight. He played for India A and was also picked as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement for the Sri Lanka tour, but he never really got an opportunity to make his debut.

The right-arm pacer has all the necessary tools to succeed in Test cricket. He can swing the ball both ways, and also has impeccable control over his lines and lengths.

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India will tour New Zealand in late October for a multi-format series, which also includes Test matches, and Nabi could be India’s surprise weapon on wickets that generally suit fast bowlers.

2) Gurnoor Brar

Gurnoor Brar has played three ODIs for India, and if reports are to be believed, the BCCI also looks at him as a future Test prospect.

At 6 ft 5 inches, Brar has the ability to extract bounce from the surface, and he can bamboozle the batters with short-pitch deliveries.

Moreover, the pacer boasts solid first-class stats to back his selection as Siraj’s permanent replacement in the Test side.

(Gurnoor Brar first-class stats)

• As the table reveals, Brar has picked up 67 first-class wickets in just 20 matches, with an average of 25, and a solid strike rate of 40.9.
• He brings pace and bounce to the Indian bowling attack, and the BCCI could try him out in the Test playing XI, especially for New Zealand conditions.

3) Yash Thakur

Another right-arm pacer who is deceptively quick, Yash Thakur has all the tools to succeed in red-ball cricket, and having already made his T20I debut for India, the pacer could also be in line for a Test call up.

He can move the ball both ways, and with Jasprit Bumrah unsure for selection due to an injury, and Siraj witnessing a drop in his pace, India could look at someone like Yash Thakur, who can nip the ball at a good pace.

In 33 first-class contests, the pacer has bagged 97 wickets, with an average of 27.58, and he can be an underrated Mohammed Siraj replacement in Tests.

Conclusion

Siraj has been facing flak for his below-par performances in recent months. His speed has dropped considerably, and perhaps, time has come to give Siraj a long-break.

In his place, India have plenty of options to consider with Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor, and Yash Thakur in the race. However, judging by recent statistics, and the ability to do well in away conditions, India should bank on Nabi for the upcoming future.

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