Siraj can be a really big name in international cricket if he works hard, reckons VVS Laxman
Siraj after taking the wicket of Steven Smith at the Gabba
|Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman seems to be in awe of young Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj as he reckoned that he can turn into a big star if he continues working hard. He outlined Siraj's ability to sustain pace, bounce and movement for a long period of time as one of his biggest strengths.
It's never easy to break into the Indian team, especially if you are a fast bowler in Test cricket. India's established quartet of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav hardly leave any room of selection for other pacers, but in a first of its kind instance Down Under, at least for India, when all the four pacers were ruled out with injuries, it was Mohammed Siraj who stepped up like none else, scalping 13 wickets in three Tests, the most by any Indian pacer in the series. The best part being his great control, raw pace and ability to provide breakthroughs and lead a fairly inexperienced bowling attack, all whilst playing his debut series himself.
After that, despite not being known for his white-ball prowess, he put up a remarkable show in this year's IPL and proved that he's so high on confidence at the moment that he will be able to nail most of the things he's asked to do. And with the WTC finale not too far away, he's expected to play a crucial role in that fixture too and might even threaten the place of one of the senior Indian pacers. His recent performances have left VVS Laxman impressed too as he heaped praises on the Hyderabad pacer as he reckons that Siraj can swing the ball and bowl long spells.
“Siraj is a very skillful bowler. For any fast bowler, there are two very important requirements. Firstly, he must have the ability to swing the ball deceptively. Siraj has this ability in abundance. Secondly, a fast bowler has to be able to bowl long spells. This ability too, Siraj has in him. He has tremendous stamina. He can come back for his third spell and bowl with just as much venom as he did in his first two spells,” Laxman told sissat.com, reported HT.
Laxman also termed him a dangerous bowler given how the lanky pacer can sustain his speed, bounce and movement for longer periods.
“This ability to maintain his speed, bounce and movement over a long period is what makes Siraj such a dangerous bowler. There is no time for the batsmen to relax. Siraj just keeps coming back again and again and he keeps hammering away at the batsmen. That is why he picks up wickets even in his third spell. It is an important quality for any fast bowler to possess,” explained Laxman.
The former Indian batsman also made a bold prediction that Siraj would turn into a superstar if he continues working hard on his game.
"Provided he continues to work hard over the next few years, Siraj can be a really big name in international cricket. He certainly has the qualities and the potential to do so,” said Laxman.
