As the Indian cricket team prepares for the second Test against New Zealand, starting October 24 in Pune, skipper Rohit Sharma faces a critical decision regarding the team’s pace attack. While Rohit has emphasized consistency in team selection, the inclusion of Hyderabad speedster Mohammed Siraj in the playing XI is a subject of debate. Siraj, despite his undeniable talent, has struggled to find his rhythm on home pitches, making his place uncertain.
At 30 years old, Siraj has amassed an impressive 80 wickets in 30 Test matches, but a closer look at his record reveals a significant divide between his home and away performances. Of his total wickets, 61 have come from 17 away matches in the SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries, known for their bouncy pitches. However, his performance in India has been less impactful—only 19 wickets from 13 home Tests, where the conditions often favor spinners and demand more specific lengths from fast bowlers.
In recent home matches, Siraj’s form has been under scrutiny. The last seven Tests on Indian soil have yielded only 12 wickets for him, averaging less than two per match. In four of those 13 matches, he failed to take a single wicket, including two Tests against Australia last year, where spin-friendly pitches in Indore and Delhi gave him little opportunity to make an impact.
Also Read: Siraj needs physical and mental rest: Harbhajan Singh
One significant factor affecting Siraj’s performance in India is his length. A coach, who has worked extensively with India’s national team bowlers, explained the technical challenge Siraj faces. The ideal Test match length differs based on conditions. In Australia, a length of eight meters from the batter is optimal, while in India, a length of around 6.5 meters is more effective due to lower bounce. Unfortunately for Siraj, he has been consistently bowling at an eight-meter length in India, which, as the coach pointed out, is not conducive to getting wickets in these conditions.
“Siraj’s record shows he has five-wicket hauls in Australia and South Africa, where there is more bounce,” the coach said on condition of anonymity. “In India, he needs to pitch it up more—around 6.5 meters—to hit the top of off-stump and be effective with both swing and seam. Right now, he isn’t pitching it up enough.”
Despite these concerns, Siraj’s potential for success in the upcoming Test series in Australia, starting November 22, remains strong. His ability to exploit bouncy tracks Down Under has already been proven, and the coach is confident that Siraj will rediscover his form in conditions that suit his natural length.
However, the immediate question is whether Siraj can deliver in Pune, where the pitch is expected to favor spin. Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir may opt for a more spin-heavy attack, with the possible inclusion of all-rounder Washington Sundar as the fifth slow bowler. Yet, dropping Siraj, who has been a key part of India’s fast bowling arsenal, would be a significant decision.
In 2021, Siraj showed his potential on home soil in a menacing performance against New Zealand in Mumbai. His ability to adapt to white-ball cricket, where his back-of-length deliveries have been successful in Indian conditions, might also give Rohit and Gambhir reason to retain him for the second Test.
As India prepares for the Pune showdown, much will depend on whether Rohit is willing to take a leap of faith in Siraj’s ability to adapt or if the conditions will lead the team to opt for a more spin-dominated approach. With a pivotal series against Australia looming, the spotlight remains on Siraj, who will be eager to prove his worth, both at home and abroad.
(This story is sourced from a third-party syndicated feed. Raavi Media takes no responsibility or liability of any nature. Raavi Media management/ythisnews.com can alter or delete the content without notice for any reason.)
