After 6 wickets against South Africa, Mohd Siraj credits “Bowling with Bumrah” as the key: Young Indian pacer Mohammad Siraj during a little conversation after the end of an eventful first day of cricket between India and South Africa revealed how bowling with Jasprit Bumrah helped him leave the hosts in shambles following his magical 6 wickets spell.
The day 1 of the second India vs South Africa test was no less than a theatrical drama. The action-packed day saw a massive 23 wickets fall across three innings along with a couple of sensational performances.
While every other player had his moments during the day, India’s Mohd Siraj remained a key attractor throughout day one of the test as he relentlessly took six wickets in the first wicket to wrap up South Africa’s innings to a meagre total of 55 runs.
The day began with Mohammad Siraj inducing a false shot off Aiden Markram’s blade which was caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal in the slips. What followed next was nothing short of a theatrical drama as the young Indian pacer went on to scalp five more wickets in his undisturbed nine-over spell under clear skies.
In his masterclass nine-over spell, Siraj targetted the off-stump channel which produced five edges in his six dismissals. He started off with the dismissal of Aiden Markram and followed it with the big fish – Dean Elgar. Following these two wickets, it was just a matter of time as Indian bowlers led by Mohd Siraj bundled out South Africa’s innings at a total of 55 runs.
In his magical nine-over spell, which saw six wickets, Siraj conceded just 15 runs at an economy of 1.70.
Looking back on his success, Siraj revealed that he didn’t expect the pitch to behave like this, despite the clear skies. He asserted that the release was quite effective from his end and he stuck to it throughout the innings.
“Release was a better bet on this wicket,” he remarked, emphasizing the effectiveness of hitting the right areas.
He further credited his partnership with ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah during the innings which put South Africa in disarray. The duo consistently hit the right areas and didn’t give away too many freebies throughout the game.
“We (him and Jasprit Bumrah) bowled in partnerships and bowled many maidens unlike in the last Test match. Bowling so many maidens did create pressure,” said Mohammed Siraj on BCCI.tv.
The pacer also acknowledged KL Rahul’s contribution in assisting him with the right lengths during his nine-over magical spell early on.
IND vs SA: Team India’s staggering collapse
Talking about the current position in the India vs South Africa 2nd test in Cape Town. The contest is wide open with it shifting a wee bit to the Indian side. After concluding South Africa’s 1st innings at 55 runs, Team India managed to score 153 runs with a lead of 100 runs.
During India’s innings, the team saw a staggering collapse as six wickets fell in just 11 deliveries with no runs added at all. Team India’s score was 153/5 when KL Rahul departed off Lungi Ngidi’s 33rd over. But what followed next was nothing short of embarrassment for the Indians.
In the same over, Lgidi up the scalp of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah to reduce team India to a score of 153/7. In the next over, Kagiso Rabada began with the wicket of Virat Kohli and subsequently, the wickets of Mohammad Siraj and Prasidh Krishna also fell.
Team India couldn’t add a single run to their tally after 153 runs as South Africa concluded India’s innings on day one.
After India’s innings, South Africa again came to bat and scored 62 runs in the loss of three wickets. Debutant pacer Mukesh Kumar removed Dean Elgar and Tony de Zorzi while Jasprit Bumrah opened his account with the scalp of Trintin Stubbs.
South Africa still trails by 36 runs as they will come out to bat on the second day, today.
Keywords: Mohammad Siraj Six Wickets, Team India.
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