Mohammed Siraj faced scrutiny for his dismal bowling performance against England in the opening Test. The premier pacer Mohammed Siraj , who shared the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah, picked up two wickets in the first innings, while remained wicketless in the second as India failed to defend a 371-run target.
Mohammed Siraj failed to give able support to Bumrah, who claimed a fifer in the first innings. Meanwhile, in the second innings he caused some trouble for Zak Crawley with the balls nipping back in for the batter and almost dismissed Ben Duckett on 97, but Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped his catch.
Mohammed Siraj’s underperformance at Headingly raised questions
Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj is under fire after a below-par bowling performance in the opening Test against England at Headingley. The Indian pacer picked just two wickets in the first innings and went wicketless in the second, as India failed to defend a 371-run target, losing the first Test of the five-match series. Siraj shared the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah, but unlike his senior partner, who picked a fifer in the first innings, Mohammed Siraj couldn’t make enough impact.
Mohammed Siraj, who was monumental in India’s 2-2 series draw when India last toured England for the Test series, has witnessed a bit of a drop in his performance in recent times. Having picked up just 28 wickets in his last 10 Tests, Mohammed Siraj’s inconsistency has only added to the burden on Bumrah, who is expected to deliver every time he’s handed the ball.
Mohammed Siraj’s recent form has also raised concerns. The pacer scalped just eight wickets in his last 10 Tests. As Jasprit Bumrah earlier has confirmed that he will be available for only 3 tests vs England ,its high time that Mohammed Siraj raises his game being the experienced player amongst the others and former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged the Indian pacer to raise up his performance.
Mohammed Siraj has to do the bankable role- Ravichandran Ashwin
India failed to defend 371 in the fourth innings against England as they were ‘bazballed’ into losing the series opening Test held at Headingley earlier this week. The frontline Indian pacers, barring Jasprit Bumrah, have been facing the heat following the listless show as they not only failed to pick enough wickets or create pressure from their end but also leaked runs aplenty.
Mohammed Siraj bowled 41 runs across the two innings, took two wickets and leaked 173 runs (4.2 runs per over). Prasidh Krishna took five wickets in 35 overs but conceded 220 runs in them at an economy of 6.2. On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah took five wickets in 43.4 overs and had an economy of just 3.2.
There’s a stark difference. Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin feels that not getting enough support from his fellow pacers is increasing Bumrah’s workload. Siraj as Ashwin suggests, should step up and stem the flow of runs from his end even if that means he doesn’t take any wickets.
“Bumrah is bowling extraordinarily. Prasidh, when he gets it right, bowls unbelievably well. Jadeja will perform his role. My only question is to Siraj: ‘Can you just dry up the runs? You don’t have to pick wickets, but can you not give away 4-5 runs in every over?'” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“If runs are being leaked, then you have to bring Bumrah back into the attack. How many dams will Bumrah be able to construct? Also, he gets tired, and his spells are pushed and by then, partnerships are forged. Or you’d have to go with Jadeja, who has to step in to stem the flow of runs,” he added.
 R Ashwin cited the role of current India bowling coach Morne Morkel who used to keep his end tight during his playing days for South Africa, allowing the likes of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander to create pressure.
“Prasidh is playing for the first time (in England) and is inexperienced. Siraj has to play the bankable role. Remember how Morne Morkel used to bowl? He used to give 43 runs in 20 overs and take 2 wickets. In Bazball era, you might go for 2/58. That is the role Siraj has to play and if he is effective in it, it would make a huge difference,” Ashwin said.
Having lost the Leeds Test from a strong position, Team India will need to lift themselves quickly and for that Mohammed Siraj had to go right back to the basics to bowl at immaculate line and length curbing his over agressive nature. The second Test of the five-match series begins at Edgbaston in Birmingham from July 2.
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