Mohammed Siraj pressed for more stump attacks. After the first day of the Kolkata Test, Siraj revealed his bowling tactics. While speaking after the match, he admitted that Jasprit Bumrah encouraged him to rain attacks on the stumps as the situation was tougher for the batters.
While talking after the match, Siraj stated, “Jassi bhai just told me that the wicket-taking option was if you bowl at the stumps – you’ve got LBW, bowled, and even catches coming into play when the line is accurate.”
In the first test, Siraj snared two wickets and claimed a figure of 2/47 in his 12-over bowling row.
After bowling out the Proteas for just 159, Team India’s howl bundled after 20 overs, acquiring 37/1.
While talking about the batting spree, the bowler stated, “We are in a good position, having lost just one wicket. Earlier, Markram and Rickelton put on a good stand, but we did well to come back, and I think we’re ahead in the match at the moment.”
While recapping the third session, South Africa continued their innings from 154/8. Bumrah claimed five wickets, and two among them were smoothly swept off after his gracious return from the tea.
Jassi indeed showed remarkable form with his 5-wicket haul for just 27 runs. Bumrah became the first fast bowler to take a five-wicket haul on the opening day of a Test in India since Ishant Sharma achieved the feat in the 2019 day-night Test against Bangladesh at the same venue. While Kuldeep Yadav also showed great resilience, Siraj was slightly off; however, he too chipped in two wickets.
