India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj offered a heartfelt tribute to Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash earlier in July. Playing on the second day of the Lord’s Test match, Siraj celebrated by gesturing No. 20 with his fingers after picking up the wicket of Jamie Smith.
Siraj’s celebration came after he picked up his first wicket of the England innings, in the 107th over of the match. Siraj broke a crucial 84-run stand between Smith and fast bowler Brydon Carse, who led a late fightback for England. Smith and Carse both scored fifties, helping England to push their total up to 387 runs.
ENG vs IND, 2nd Test Day 2: Updates
???? ?????? ???????????? ???????? ?????? ??#JamieSmith survived once, but no escape this time from #MohammedSiraj! ??
Will #TeamIndia bundle England out under 400? ??#ENGvIND ?? 3rd TEST, DAY 2 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar ?? https://t.co/mg732JcWfD pic.twitter.com/I1uG35YFZC— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 11, 2025
Liverpool player Jota died in a car crash in Spain at the age of 28. Jota’s younger brother, 25-year-old Andre Silva, also died in the accident. The footballer died on July 3, just 10 days after his marriage. Initial forensic reports suggested that Jota was likely speeding when he crashed his Lamborghini in northwestern Spain.
“The forensics team is analysing the marks left by one of the car’s wheels on the asphalt that suggest a tyre burst and whether that and excessive speed caused the crash,” police said in a statement quoted by Reuters. The final results will be submitted to the local court before being made public.
Jota had recently helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League on June 8, and was on summer break from football. He was expected to return to Liverpool for pre-season training in the second week of July.
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