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India were successful in levelling the five-match Test series against England with a thrilling six-run win on day five of the fifth Test at the Oval, London on August 4. It was Mohammed Siraj who turned the match around in favour of India on the final day with a five-wicket haul. The star fast bowler registered figures of 5/104 as England were bowled out for 367 runs while chasing a target of 374. Siraj also finished as leading wicket taker of the series with 23 scalps in five matches.
After Siraj’s heroics in the fifth Test, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin feels that the fast bowler didn’t get the recognition he should get during the England series. Ashwin also advised the Indian team management to manage Siraj’s workload properly as he is also in his 30s now.
“We failed to recognise Mohammed Siraj. The time has come to recognise him now. He once again put his hand up; he has given a compelling reason. Just look at his celebration, it seems as if he is saying, 'This is not the trailer. This is the main picture itself'. He is saying, ‘Please consider me as a match winner'. ’ He is reminding us what a champion bowler he is. His bowling action, his technique and good work ethic are allowing him to play all five Tests in a series,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Siraj could be your No.1 Test bowler: R. Ashwin
Speaking further, Ravichandran Ashwin said that the BCCI needs to rebuild India’s bowling attack in the longest format with Mohammed Siraj being their prime fast bowler. Siraj turned out to be India’s prime pacer after Jasprit Bumrah played only three out of five Test matches in the series against England.
“He is also growing old. It is important for the team management to rest him as well from inconsequential matches. He could be your No.1 Test bowler; he could be your go-to Test bowler. We have to rebuild the bowling attack. Akash Deep is there, Prasidh Krishna is there, Arshdeep Singh is there. Around Mohammed Siraj and his experience, we have to build it,” Ashwin said.
