The efforts of pacer Mohammed Siraj in the second Test match against the West Indies in New Delhi were commended by former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. The 39-year-old praised the dedication of the Hyderabad fast bowler, emphasising how Siraj kept running in nonstop even when the ground provided the seamers with minimal support.
Siraj finished the match with match figures of 3/59 in 24 overs, demonstrating a strong effort. India relied heavily on their spin attack to take 20 wickets against the West Indies, even though the circumstances at the Arun Jaitley Stadium were favourable for the spinners. However, the pace department remained efficient throughout the match with to Siraj’s disciplined bowling and unwavering enthusiasm.
“I would like to commend Mohammed Siraj.
Although there wasn’t much assistance on this wicket, Siraj continued to come repeatedly while bending his back. Even though Bumrah eventually took wickets, Siraj’s effort deserves recognition. He made an effort in these circumstances, just as he did when bowling in England. Fast bowlers find first-class cricket difficult, particularly if they bowl on day four. They never fully recover from a three-day layoff. But Siraj persisted, employing cutting-edge fields, therefore he merits recognition,” Ashwin stated on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat.
“Indian fast bowlers contributed to this series. Indeed, they play a part. Because they are more familiar with bowling on the subcontinent, Indian fast bowlers have generally avoided using bouncers. With the ball, they do a little bit more. He went on to say, “They use lbw and reverse swing.
More autonomy should be granted to Kuldeep: Ashwin
Ashwin also underlined that Kuldeep Yadav should continue to play his natural attacking position in the starting lineup and asked the team management to give him more flexibility. He stated that Kuldeep is an essential asset because to his ability to take wickets on a regular basis, and that the other bowlers in the team should be tasked with supporting him by keeping the ball under control.
Kuldeep can open it up and will take a wicket in a single spell. He even did that in the second inning. We ought to grant him that liberty. However, Ashwin stated, “Kuldeep should be able to continue being that attacking option with the help of the others.”
Due to his outstanding match statistics of 8/186, which included a five-wicket haul in the opening innings, the left-arm spinner was named Player of the Match. Kuldeep made his Test cricket comeback with this effort, since it was his first series since he played against New Zealand in Bengaluru in October of last year.
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