Delhi’s sweltering afternoon claimed a moment no one expected Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj collapsed mid-match, visibly exhausted after a taxing spell, and was treated almost regally by the support staff in a dramatic scene. 

It was Day 4 of the second Test against West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, when the blistering heat seemed to exact a heavy toll. Siraj, having bowled relentlessly through the second session, staggered into the dugout and slumped onto a chair. The medical team immediately rushed in, placing ice packs on his head and face, massaging his feet, and trying to revive his strength.

On-air commentary added color to the spectacle. Former wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, observing the scene live, quipped that Siraj was receiving “king-like treatment.” He joked that fast bowlers everywhere now expect such pampering after strenuous spells, even in the commentary box. 

But behind the lighthearted remark lay a reminder of the punishing conditions facing cricketers. The day’s heat, combined with the demands of Test cricket, exposed vulnerabilities not just of one man, but of an entire bowling line forced to toil. The collapse was a dramatic illustration that stamina and hydration can be just as crucial as skill.

Despite the alarming moment, India’s bowlers had earlier made significant inroads. After West Indies resumed at 173/2, John Campbell and Shai Hope built a strong partnership; Campbell converted his 87 into a century, and Hope also crossed three figures. Ravindra Jadeja broke the stand, and India’s bowlers Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah among them ran through the opposition, ultimately dismissing them for 390. 

The collapse of Siraj, however, underscored that behind every wicket is a body under pressure. In one dramatic moment, the high drama of Test cricket collided with the raw physical limits of man.

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