'My only question to Siraj is...can you dry up the run flow?' - R Ashwin asks Mohammed Siraj to take new role in 2nd Test

Ravichandran Ashwin advised Mohammed Siraj to play a different role for India in the second Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, starting from Wednesday, July 2.

Siraj is known for being an aggressive bowler who hunts for wickets. However, in pursuit of wickets, the Hyderabad seamer sometimes gives away a lot of runs. In the first Test at Headingley, Siraj gave away 122 runs in the first innings from 27 overs and 51 in the second innings from 14 overs. He conceded runs at an economy rate of 4.22.

Ashwin wants Siraj to curb his instincts and focus on keeping the scoring rate under control. The former India off-spinner feels that if Siraj can stop the flow of runs, it will take a lot of pressure off Jasprit Bumrah and help him to stay fresh.

"My only question to Siraj is...can you dry up the run flow? You don't have to pick up wickets. But can you not give away 4-5 runs every over? If runs are being leaked, then you have to bring Bumrah back into the attack. How many dams will Bumrah be able to construct? " Ashwin asked on his YouTube channel.

"Also, he gets tired, and his spells are pushed, and by then, partnerships are forged. Or you'd have to go with Jadeja, who has to step in and stem the flow of runs. Prasidh is playing for the first time, and he is inexperienced," he added.

Ashwin recalled the holding role India's current bowling coach, Morne Morkel, used to play in Test cricket for South Africa and urged Siraj to attempt the same.

"So Siraj has to play the bankable role. Remember how Morne Morkel used to bowl 2/43 in 20 overs? That should be his role. In Bazball, you could go for 2/58, I guess. Siraj has to play that role, and if he is effective in it, then it would make a huge difference," Ashwin shared.

Ashwin named Ishant Sharma as a bowler who could build pressure throughout the day by conceding very few runs. The Chennai Super Kings star said that while picking wickets is important in cricket, it is also crucial to bowl in partnerships and complement each other.

"I agree that wicket-taking is important in Test cricket. But in Test cricket, you also bowl for one another. Ishant Sharma used to do it wonderfully. He played the Morkel role very well. He would hold the pressure on one end, and would have given just 40-odd runs after an entire day's play. Of course, I am not asking Siraj to do the same, but regulate the leakage of runs," he mentioned.

Ashwin feels that if Siraj is unable to restrict the flow of runs, India will have to bring someone from the squad who can perform the holding role into the playing XI.

"You can't just bowl aggressively throughout your spell. He has to take that responsibility and be a cushion to Bumrah and protect Prasidh, who is new on the side. Let him pick those wickets throughout the day, and not let him blast out and want to pick five wickets in a seven-over spell. But if Siraj is going to continue his style, and Prasidh is also going to leak runs, then you need someone to come in and play the holding role," he added.