Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin hailed pacer Mohammed Siraj’s performance in the second Test against the West Indies in New Delhi. The 39-year-old praised the Hyderabad fast bowler for his dedication, pointing out how Siraj maintained to run in persistently even when the pitch provided little help to the seamers.
Siraj delivered a good performance, finishing with match figures of 3/59 from 24 overs.
Despite the favourable conditions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, India relied heavily on its spin attack to take 20 West Indies wickets. However, Siraj’s disciplined bowling and unwavering enthusiasm ensured that the pace department was effective throughout the game.
“I want to compliment Mohammed Siraj. On this wicket, there wasn’t much help, but Siraj bent his back and kept coming again and again. Bumrah did get wickets in the end, but it’s Siraj’s effort that needs to be applauded. Just like his bowling in England, he put efforts in these conditions as well. First-class cricket can be tough for fast bowlers, especially if you bowl on day four, fast bowlers never recover in a three-day break. Still, Siraj kept going, using innovative fields, so he deserves credit,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat.
“In this series Indian fast bowlers played a role. They do have a role. Indian fast bowlers have generally refrained from bowling bouncers because they have a better idea of bowling in the sub-continent. They do a little bit more with the ball. They bring reverse swing and lbw into play,” he added.
Kuldeep should be given more freedom: Ashwin
Ashwin also urged the team management to provide more freedom to Kuldeep Yadav, emphasising that the left-arm wrist-spinner should continue playing his natural attacking role in the XI. He expressed that Kuldeep’s ability to pick wickets consistently makes him a vital asset, and the other bowlers in the side should be given the responsibility to support him by maintaining control from the other end.
“Kuldeep will get a wicket in one spell and he will be able to open it up. Even in the second innings he did that. He should be given that freedom. But the others should be able to compliment Kuldeep in a way that he can still continue being that attacking option,” Ashwin said.
The left-arm spinner was awarded the Player of the Match for his impressive match figures of 8/186, which included a five-wicket haul in the first innings. This performance marked Kuldeep’s return to Test cricket, as it was his first series since playing against New Zealand in Bengaluru in October of the previous year.
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