Mohammed Siraj has been compared to bowling greats Stuart Broad and Anil Kumble by former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar. The former cricket player claimed that players such as Mohammed Siraj, Broad, and Kumble embodied the never-say-die mentality that drives them to succeed.
On Wednesday, January 3, the Proteas were bowled out for 55 in 23.2 overs on Day 1 of the Cape Town Test against South Africa. Siraj was brilliant, recording figures of 6/15 from nine overs. Early in his spell, the right-arm pacer removed Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram, and he never looked back.
Siraj bowled a marathon spell of nine overs and registered a record of taking six wickets in a session of test match by an Indian bowler. South Africa was restricted to 55 runs by Siraj’s six-fer, but the Proteas responded back by dismissing India for 153, keeping the visitors’ lead to just under 100.
Sanjay Manjrekar heaps praise on Mohammed Siraj
Sanjay Manjrekar was asked if Siraj is the most dangerous Test bowler for India when he is on a roll during a chat on ESPNcricinfo. In response, he likened the Indian pacer to two of the greatest bowlers in history and said Siraj will bowl with the same intensity, whether he gets six wickets or hasn’t gotten a wicket in 20 overs.
“I am just trying to find what are the parallels – the similarities between a Broad and a Mohammed Siraj; Anil Kumble as well in that regard. It’s just the spirit of these guys. Broad is a great trier, Mohammed Siraj – his tail is up when he has got six wickets. But his tail is up when he hasn’t got a wicket in 20 overs,” said Sanjay Manjrekar.
Sanjay Manjrekar also mentioned that having a repeatable action is advantageous and that players with excellent temperaments like Siraj and Kumble are among the best.
“You just watch the footage and you wouldn’t be able to tell whether he [Siraj] had a bad day or a good day. Same with Anil Kumble. So that is the first thing that’s very important – temperament. Plus, when you have an action that is repeatable – just come in there over after other. He was exactly the same in the first over and even in the 10th over,” he added.
Mohammed Siraj learned that you have to use the pitch more in South Africa to get wickets-Sanjay Manjrekar
Siraj’s first Test in Centurion did not go well. In addition to taking a few wickets, he also went for runs. Sanjay Manjrekar said the bowler improved on his errors in the first Test and achieved the desired outcome on the first day in Cape Town.
“I think he was brilliant. Mohammed Siraj learned the fact of South Africa that you don’t have to swing the ball to get wickets. Use the pitch more. I think he and Mukesh Kumar did a perfect job. [Jasprit] Bumrah is still getting there and so is Prasidh Krishna,” he stated.
Sanjay Manjrekar went on saying that Avesh Khan would not be able to bowl his tenth over in the same manner as his first; you will see some changes in it, while in the case of Siraj, it doesn’t.
“He’s an athlete and has a bowling action that he is very comfortable with. That’s another important thing. You wouldn’t think somebody like an Avesh Khan would be able to repeat his first over exactly the way he would bowl his 10th. You will see something changing. With Mohammed Siraj, it doesn’t,” he further added.
Also Read: IND vs SA:”I Realized What I Missed”- Sensational Mohammed Siraj After Incredible Six-wicket haul on Day 1 At Newlands
