The Indian batters have done their job led by Shubman Gill’s double ton and posted 587 on the board against England in Edgbaston. Now it’s upto the Indian bowlers to do their job. While they have picked up 3 wickets already, they need to press home the advantage and pick the rest of the wickets. Mohammed Siraj has been in the set-up for a long time and it is time he steps up to the plate.
With Jasprit Bumrah sitting out of this game due to workload management, it is imperative that Mohammed Siraj steps up since he is the experienced bowler and the spearhead of the young pace bowling attack. Siraj has been in the circuit for quite a while but now needs to come out of Jasprit Bumrah’s shadow and be counted. India will be hoping he does exactly that in this Test match.
Mohammed Siraj: The X-Factor India Needs Or Hopes To Have
Mohammed Siraj has started well with the ball as he got rid of Zak Crawley. He has a wicket to his name and has figures of 1/21 in 7 overs. It’s been a much better spell from him compared to what it was in Headingly and he must continue that today. He is the spearhead of the attack in the absence of Bumrah and must show why he is the leader of the pack. He has a young bowling group to work with and some should give support.
He has Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna as his two pace bowling partners alongside pace bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Akash has managed to pick up a couple of wickets while Prasidh needs to be more consistent with his lines and lengths. Krishna also needs to step up and ease the burden on Siraj who has to play a pivotal role.
Since, the pitch is expected to aid the spinners gradually, Ravindra Jadeja has an important role to play. He shone with the bat but now must shine with the ball. He must bowl a lot better than he bowled at Headingly. He needs to keep things tight and take wickets since he is a senior campaigner. In terms of experience, Jadeja is the most experienced of them all and must show his prowess with the ball. Siraj cannot do it alone. India has to bowl well as a unit to succeed in Edgbaston and Siraj must be the one leading the way.
Mohammed Siraj Over the Years
Mohammed Siraj is now an experienced campaigner having been in the international circuit for the last 5 years. He came with a lot of promise and delivered but somehow hasn’t grown into a bowler that we thought he would. He has always lived in the shadow of Jasprit Bumrah. But it’s high-time now that he comes out of the shadow and perform well. He made his debut in the historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2020/21.
There he played in the Boxing Day Test and impressed one and all with his skills. He had lost his father before the start of the series and because of quarantine rules could not go back for his last rites. He stayed back with the team and performed beautifully. His highlight came in the Gabba Test in 2021 where Siraj spearheaded the attack and picked up a five-wicket haul in the second innings which India went onto win and create history. He did this in the absence of Bumrah, Shami, Umesh, Ishant, Bhuvi to name a few. With a young crop, he spearheaded the bowling and delivered success.
Siraj was part of the 2021/22 tour of England and performed admirably at Lord’s picking 8 wickets in the match in India’s win. He did well in the other matches and had the support of Bumrah and Shami throughout the tour. Going forward, he must perform and be counted in the absence of the stalwarts. Siraj has great height and can get extra bounce from the surface, if he bowls well.
We also remember how Siraj created havoc in Cape Town bowling South Africa out for 75 picking up a six-wicket haul. Siraj has shown in the past he has potential, but he needs to be consistent and mature into a proper bowler. He now needs to lead from the front in Bumrah’s absence and show India can do without their ace speedster. Even with Bumrah playing, Siraj should aim to perform well and not leave everything to Bumrah’s shoulder. He has played 37 Tests and picked up 102 wickets at an average of 31.8 and an economy of 3.50. He is no longer a rookie now but an experienced campaigner for India.
What Lies Ahead
Day 3 of the Edgbaston Test is upon is and is called the moving day of the game. India are in control of proceedings at this stage after posting 587 in the first innings. England are 77/3 in 20 overs with Root and Brook at the crease. England will aim to bat and win sessions to stay in the game and not lose wickets as well. India’s aim will be to get early inroads and then drive home the advantage. They will want to get a big lead and then drive home the advantage with the bat.
So, can England bat the whole day out and get closer to India’s total? Or will India get early wickets and run through England’s potential long batting line-up? Only time will tell and remember a draw is also on the cards. Day 3 i.e. the moving day will be fascinating to say the least. Important hour to the match coming our way first up in the morning session.
Also Read: ENG vs IND: Shubman Gill’s Magnificent Ton Breaks Records On Eventful Day 1