In the first Test Mohammed Siraj tore through the batting of West Indies triggering a social media frenzy, and highlighting his emergence as the warrior of India in the red-ball game. His magic incineration liquidated the tourists and made fans, pundits and ex-cricketers fight hard to maintain reason on social networks.

Play in the Nedrendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad had begun with West Indies batting first. Their choice however backfired practically. Siraj had no time losing the feel and had ousted underopener Tagenarine Chanderpaul, a duck. His speed and motion out of the field was too significant that the West Indies top order did not handle. They were soon followed by Alick Athanaze and Brandon King, both unsuccessful in protecting their positions with disastrous volleys, which held the true course of Siraj. At the time he sacked captain Roston Chase on that 24th ball, he had already registered his fourth wicket of the day, and that too reduced the Caribbean innings to rags.

At one point, it seemed that Siraj could have earned a dream five-wicket haul. He caught Justin Greaves in at front and the umpire lifted his finger but the DRS review changed the decision to rule in his benefit with replays depicting the ball being missed by leg stump. It was made even in the absence of the milestone. West Indies looked up to know that it has already scarred at the fifth century with 150/8 behind Siraj, with the help of sundry Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar.

This performance was so mesmerizing because of the command that Siraj held. It is not that he was bowling fast, it means he also was disciplined, relentless, unyielding, no fixed business broke partnerships along its course. The Ahmedabad crowd was cheering with each wicket taken and the ovation was universal on social media.

The most sympathetic consideration was by former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan, who marvelled at the never say die spirit of Siraj: he never appears tired of bowling, Pathan pointed out, adding that he was the heartbeat of the Indian attack. Participants were no exception and a banquet of posts had the fans reflecting the same thought. Some were praising him as a bowling power of nature and they were saying that in any format, in any condition… there is one guy, who knew it all- and it is MOHAMMAD SIRAJ.

It was not simply the praise of a hypnosed bowling game session. It was awareness of the way Siraj has travelled. After being regarded as a house of talent with the ability to be moody, he has now honed his muscles to be a lethal form of retaliation and precision. All his balls bowled to such West Indies had a sound purpose, all his run-ups were filled with purpose.

The larger picture in case of India is all the more. Combined with an already established Bumrah as one of the world-class operators and Siraj now flourishing as his partner, the balance in the pace attack of the team is even more balanced than in previous years. This team can lean over straight on a flat pitch or on swinging surface like the manner in India. That the first Test remains at its embryonic phase, however: yet what Siraj has done with his spell has already altered the story: this match, this cycle may well be fashioned by his vigor and violence.

As the stumps drew near it was evident the West Indies had no reply. Not only was their batting order tried–it was pulled to tears. And though the scoreboard speaks volumes in its own right, that what matters most is how Siraj is still maturing to be the pace setter of India.

Cricket is based on emotion stirring moments. Mohammed Siraj presented one of such moments today, not only in Ahmedabad, but also in timelines, hashtags, and comment sections. His message was straight forward; when he is in rhythm not many could do anything to stop him.

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