Siraj’s Test Form Slips as India Eye New Pace Options

Mohammed Siraj has built a reputation as one of India’s most spirited red-ball fast bowlers, but 2026 has not been his year so far. With his pace dipping and wickets drying up, the conversation around his Test future is getting louder, especially as India look ahead to their next overseas challenges.

Siraj’s numbers tell a clear story

There was a time when Siraj could be trusted to strike in bursts and turn a Test session on its head. In 2025, he was one of India’s most reliable pace options, thriving when Jasprit Bumrah was unavailable and leading the attack with energy and purpose.

That level has not quite been repeated in 2026. Across three Tests this year, Siraj has taken only five wickets, and his strike rate has climbed to 68.40. By contrast, he picked up 43 wickets in 10 Tests in 2025, at a far sharper strike rate of 43.47.

The contrast is stark. The average has barely shifted, but the wicket-taking impact has clearly faded, and that is often what decides whether a fast bowler keeps his place at the top level.

Duleep Trophy adds to the concern

The dip has not gone unnoticed in domestic cricket either. In the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2026 clash against East Zone, Siraj has lacked the same cutting edge that once made him such a dangerous proposition with the new ball.

Reports from the game suggest he has also been taken on by batters, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi putting pressure on him and forcing runs at a rapid rate. For a bowler whose biggest weapon has always been intensity, even a small drop in speed can change the entire equation.

Why pace matters so much

Siraj has always relied on rhythm, hard lengths and late movement. When he is at his best, he can run through an opposition almost single-handedly. But when the pace falls away, his margin for error becomes much smaller, and batters tend to settle in more easily.

A senior Indian cricket observer recently summed it up in simple terms: “A fast bowler’s edge is often his tempo. If the pace goes, the pressure goes with it.” That is the challenge Siraj now faces in a crowded Test landscape.

India have options waiting in the background

If India decide to manage Siraj’s workload or even look beyond him for a while, they are not short of alternatives. Several pacers have been pushing their case in domestic cricket, and the selectors will have them firmly on the radar.

Auqib Nabi could be the surprise pick

Auqib Nabi has been one of the standout performers in the domestic circuit, even if the India cap has not yet arrived. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy last season and has already spent time with India A and in the wider senior setup.

Nabi’s case is built on control and skill rather than raw pace alone. He can swing the ball both ways and, importantly for Test cricket, maintains tight lines and lengths. With India touring New Zealand in late October for a multi-format series, including Tests, he shapes up as a genuine outside contender for seam-friendly conditions.

For a fast bowler trying to break through, timing matters. Nabi looks like a player who may be ready when the opportunity finally comes.

Gurnoor Brar brings bounce and presence

Gurnoor Brar is another name that is beginning to attract attention. At 6 ft 5 inches, he offers something different: bounce, awkward angles and the ability to hurry batters with short-pitched deliveries.

His first-class record supports the hype. In 20 matches, Brar has taken 67 wickets at an average of 25 and a strike rate of 40.9, numbers that stand up well in any discussion about future Test pace options.

Those figures suggest a bowler who can not only hit the deck hard, but also sustain pressure over long spells. That matters in Tests, where physical presence and consistency often separate potential from readiness.

Yash Thakur remains a live option

Yash Thakur may not draw the same headlines, but he offers a balanced package. He is deceptively quick, can move the ball both ways and already has India experience after making his T20I debut.

In first-class cricket, Thakur has claimed 97 wickets in 33 matches at an average of 27.58. Those are the sort of numbers that keep a bowler in the conversation, especially when India are dealing with uncertainty around Bumrah and a dip in Siraj’s output.

He may be viewed as the under-the-radar name in the race, but selectors often value exactly that kind of profile when building a Test attack for demanding overseas tours.

What happens next for Siraj?

This is not yet a story about the end of Mohammed Siraj’s Test career. He still has enough quality, experience and match-winning ability to remain relevant, and one strong spell can quickly shift the narrative.

But the warning signs are real. The wickets have slowed, the pace has dropped and India have a growing queue of pacers waiting for a chance. For now, the pressure is on Siraj to respond, and on the selectors to decide whether they want continuity or a fresh push.

If form remains the only selection criterion, Auqib Nabi may have the strongest case to be India’s next seam option. The coming months could define whether Siraj fights back or makes way for a new name in the Test attack.