Credit: BCCI
Team India are receiving criticism after their loss at the hands of England in the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2024-25 held at Lord’s. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has criticised Mohammed Siraj for the loss as the ex-India player feels the speedster’s move of asking for the ball change ruined the momentum, which was built after Jasprit Bumrah picked up three quick wickets. Kaif feels the move gave the opportunity to Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse to attack Team India’s bowling unit and help England post a fine total on the board.
"Siraj is always emotional, so I think approving his call and changing the ball (was a mistake). When the ball got changed, it didn't move,” said Kaif on his YouTube channel. Kaif also expressed discontent over GIll’s celebration against England opener Zak Crawley. "If Crawley hadn't got out on Day 3, he could've got dismissed on the next day. Was he in good form? He is no Joe Root. It was a loss for us. Gill lost his cool, Siraj joined him and then Reddy celebrated after getting him out. You can show aggression but you need to do that at the right time. They didn't choose the right time," added Kaif.
Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer 'planned' to injure Jasprit Bumrah: Mohammad Kaif
Kaif also went on to claim that England skipper Ben Stokes and pacer Jofra Archer targeted Bumrah intentionally with bouncers on the fifth day of the contest. He said that both England stalwarts’ objective was not just to dismiss Bumrah but injure him.
Kaif asserted, "Stokes and Archer planned to bowl bouncers against Bumrah. If he doesn't get out, hit him on the finger or shoulder to injure him. This stays in the mind of bowlers to injure the main bowler, whom our batters find tough to bat against. This was the plan, which worked later (to get him out)."
