Following a spirited third day of the second Test at Edgbaston, Mohammed Siraj’s six-wicket haul and Akash Deep’s four-for put India in a strong position. With nine wickets remaining in the second innings and a 244-run lead, the visitors are well-positioned to attempt a series-tying victory.
Siraj led the attack and bowled well, replacing Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for this Test, according to Arshdeep Singh, who spoke after the day’s action. With statistics of 6 for 70, his best in Test matches in England, Siraj took the lead while he was away. Arshdeep stated, “I only believe in myself and Jassi Bhai,” in a video that the BCCI shared.
In just the second over of the morning on Day 3, Siraj dismissed Ben Stokes and Joe Root off successive deliveries. Throughout the day, he continuously applied pressure on the opposition, ultimately cleaning up the tail. The pacer was grateful for the increased accountability and confidence placed in him.
“I love when responsibility is given to me, my only aim was to not leak runs from my end and try to control my bowling and put pressure on the opposition,” Siraj stated.
Mohammed Siraj says Akash Deep is like a horse.
The Indian bowlers made sure to keep up the pressure on the opposition batsmen even after Jamie Smith (184*) and Harry Brook (158) rallied with a 303-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Akash Deep and Siraj’s collaboration was crucial in keeping the English hitters to 407.
Akash Deep resembles an equine. He was holding out for a chance. He demonstrated his appetite as soon as he had the chance. It was a pleasure bowling with him, to be honest. Since the first ones are always special, I would have given him this bowl if we had both received fifers. Akash told me to go only for the wicket when I proposed that I bowl outside,” he continued.
In the meantime, Brook was dismissed with the second new ball by Akash Deep, who finished with 4 for 88, ending the Brook-Smith partnership. When Siraj went through the lower order, taking his fifth and sixth wickets, the dismissal set off England’s collapse. He concluded the innings by dismissing Shoaib Bashir, leaving England 180 runs adrift after being bowled out for 407.
By being the first side to dismiss six English hitters for ducks in a single Test innings, the Indian bowlers made history. The visitors are in a strong position as their lead was increased to 244 by stumps on Day 3. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the openers, combined 64 before Jaiswal was dismissed for 28.
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