Mohammed Siraj reveals an infamous altercation with James Anderson in 2021

It was a feisty affair between two cricketing powerhouses when England hosted India for the first Test match of the series in Nottingham. The Asian outfit were in a position of strength after dismissing the hosts for just 183 runs in the first innings. The visitors also stumbled in their reply, but their lower-order batters, led by Ravindra Jadeja’s fighting half-century frustrated the Three Lions.

The Indian tail wagged against the English bowlers and veteran pacer James Anderson got involved in a verbal spat with Mohammed Siraj after the latter’s stifling partnership with Jasprit Bumrah. Nearly two years after the incident, Siraj laid bare the details of his infamous spat with the Englishman.

“I was batting and Anderson was bowling. Me and Jassi-bhai [Bumrah] were batting and for us, every ball is a free hit – just swing the bat every time. Anderson came up to me and abused me. I felt angry and told him, ‘wait till you come out to bat against me”.

When he walked out to bat, I went up to him and said, “You’ve taken 600 wickets, but I don’t care. You have no respect for me.’ Anderson was quite angered by that and walked up to [Indian captain] Virat Kohli and told him: ‘What is he thinking? Is he mad or what?’ My words affected him, hurt his ego,” Siraj revealed his exchange with James Anderson on Breakfast with Champions.