India, Aug. 26 -- If there were any doubts about Mohammed Siraj's quality not just as a fast bowler but also as the leader of the pack, they were erased by his performance in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The right-arm pacer emerged as the highest-wicket taker of the five-match Test series between India and England, where he played a pivotal role in India winning two Tests in Jasprit Bumrah's absence. The England tour threw up an interesting debate in Indian cricket. There was a stat that showed India win more when Bumrah, the world's best all-format fast bowler, doesn't play (either because of an injury or to manage his workload).

It had less to do with Bumrah and a lot to do with Siraj. The right-arm fast bowler, generally in Bumrah's...