“When Virat and Rahul can be part of Test XI despite their ordinary performances, what is the problem with Siraj?”: Aakash Chopra backs speedster for second Test against New Zealand
Mohammed Siraj hasn’t been impactful across formats for a long time in international cricket. The consistency is missing, and despite the backing of the captains and coaches, the speedster hasn’t delivered with the ball. In the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, he recorded another ordinary outing.
On a pitch where the Kiwi pacers took 17 wickets across both innings, Siraj looked ineffective. With India losing the contest by 8 wickets, there are speculations that the Hyderabad-based pacer could make way for Akash Deep for the second game in Pune.
However, Aakash Chopra said that Siraj is still the number two pacer of India behind Jasprit Bumrah. “Akash Deep has been magnificent with the ball in limited chances. There is no doubt that he has taken wickets in all the games he has played for India National Cricket Team, but you still have to give it to Siraj for the way he bowled in the past.
“I know he is not at his best at the moment, but you can’t forget what he has done for the team. Virat Kohli has scored just two Test hundreds in the last three years. It’s been a long time since KL Rahul recorded a ton.
“When these two can continue despite their ordinary performances, why is there a problem with Siraj? Virat is not a small player and has been phenomenal for the team. KL Rahul has also shown his class. In the same way, we should give time to Siraj as well,” Aakash Chopra said on JioCinema.
Parthiv Patel and Ajay Jadeja also batted for Siraj’s inclusion in the Playing XI in the second Test against New Zealand in Pune.
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