Mohammed Siraj’s intensity is phenomenal and he brings balance to the team: Zaheer Khan

The Indian team is currently basking in the glory of an epic Test victory against England at the Lord’s Cricket Stadium. Leading by just 154 runs with only four wickets remaining at the end of Day 4, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah counter-attacked and helped the team reach a total of 298, setting the home team a target of 272 to get in 60 overs.

Later, Indian bowlers led by Mohammed Siraj bundled England out for just 120, capping off some frantic scenes at Lord’s. Siraj was exceptional throughout the Test match as he finished with eight wickets in the match. Be it with the new ball, or the old ball, whenever skipper Virat Kohli wanted a breakthrough, he would turn to Siraj and, he often would deliver the goods.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, former India pacer Zaheer Khan was mighty impressed with Siraj’s performance and said, “Siraj’s intensity throughout the game was phenomenal. It feels like every ball he bowls he will get a wicket. That is the energy with which he bowls,” Zaheer said.

Siraj is very disciplined: Zaheer Khan

Zaheer further lauded Siraj’s versatility with the ball and felt he has brought balance to the team. “Siraj has brought balance into the Indian team as Shami has an upright seam position. Siraj likes to bowl long spells and that I think is necessary for the captain to have in the team. Siraj is very disciplined and the way he bowls to the left-handers it gives an extra option, as Bumrah and Ishant prefer to bowl around the wicket to left-hand batters.”

“But Siraj bowls over the wicket and, the bowl goes outside the off stump and creates a problem,” Zaheer said.

The cricketer-turned-expert further concluded by saying that Siraj has the ability to pose a different kind of threat to the English batters. “Siraj got Joe Root out and that was the big wicket. We saw what happened when he got out. So If Siraj manages to take the wicket of Root in the upcoming matches, then India with already 1-0 lead in the series will make further in-roads.” Zaher added.