Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were the stars for India in the second Test in Cape Town. Siraj registered bowling figures of 6/15 in the first innings whereas Bumrah rattled the Proteas in the second innings with figures of 6/61. Former India fast bowler S Sreesanth has hailed the pace duo of Siraj and Bumrah for their terrific performance in the second Test against South Africa.
S Sreesanth praised Siraj and Bumrah for their consistency and was delighted with the way they came back after the setback of Centurion. He mentioned that the only thing missing was Mohammed Shami as the pace trio of Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami has always been deadly for the opponents, and in these conditions, the pace trio would have been very effective.
“I think the way they bowled was fantastic in the second Test especially. According to me, the way they played, the way they bowled, they had a definite plan. I felt Jasprit Bumrah was a bit shaky in the first Test but he bowled in the right areas.”
“If we talk about the combination then the only thing that was missing from the Bumrah-Siraj combination was Mohammed Shami. Three fast bowlers in these conditions would’ve been more effective. But hats off to Bumrah and Siraj, the way they bowled,” said S Sreesanth
S Sreesanth also praised Mukesh Kumar for hitting the right lengths in the match and taking two wickets in both innings of the match. He hailed the consistency of the Indian pacers as the main reason for India’s success in the second Test at the Newlands in Cape Town.
Watch- S Sreesanth Talks About India’s Pace Bowling
.@sreesanth36 noticed a significant improvement in the lines & lengths bowled by Indian pacers, especially @Jaspritbumrah93 & @mdsirajofficial , during the historic 2nd #SAvIND Test in #CapeTown.
Was this #TeamIndia's best ever pace performance in #SouthAfrica?#Cricket pic.twitter.com/zaeHkbTlR3
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 6, 2024
When S Sreesanth was asked about the difference in the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the first Test and the second Test, he said, “See the difference between the bowling in the two Tests was consistency. Mohammed Siraj also talked about it in the post-match presentation saying that he couldn’t hit the right lengths currently. Even Virat Kohli was gesturing Siraj to hold onto his length from the first slip. It is all about being patient and hitting the right areas consistently.”
India drew the series against South Africa 1-1 and now stands at No.2 in the WTC points table with a PCT of 54.16. Australia are currently the table toppers with a PCT of 56.25 as they won their series against Pakistan, a clean sweep victory of 3-0. The Men in Blue will now face England at home in a five-match Test series which will commence on January 25 in Hyderabad.
India have not lost a Test series at home since 2012 when they were defeated by England and now they will face them in 2024 at home. The last series between India and England was drawn 2-2 which was played in England in 2021-22.
