Mohammed Siraj is giving a run for the money for top 2 places in the Indian pace bowling attack: MSK Prasad

Mohammed Siraj produced a superb performance with the red cherry for India in the 2nd Test against New Zealand. The right-arm pacer scalped a total of 3 wickets in the first innings and shattered the New Zealand batting lineup.

And now, former Indian selector MSK Prasad has said that Siraj will surely be the third seamer that India will pick, and also feels that the right-arm fast bowler is also giving a run for the top 2 slots in the Indian pace bowling department as well. Prasad also added that India should have played Siraj in their playing XI for the 1st Test against the Kiwis as well.

“I think he is the third in the order and he is giving a run for the money for the 1st and 2nd slots (in the pace attack) also with the kind of performances he has put in. In all fairness, it will be Bumrah, Shami and Siraj will be the third pacer by default. Even the Indian team missed a trick by not playing in the first Test match against New Zealand in Kanpur,” said Prasad as quoted by India Today.

India needs Siraj’s youthful exuberance: MSK Prasad

Prasad also feels that playing two senior pacers in Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma in the Indian playing XI is difficult. Prasad concluded by stating that only one out of Yadav or Ishant should be played in the side, with Siraj being the other seamer.

“Now, having two seniors at home is a little difficult. You could have gone with Siraj and Ishant or Siraj and Umesh. You need that youthful exuberance. I feel that was a mistake for the Kanpur Test,” concluded MSK Prasad.

Mohammed Siraj has also been picked in the Indian Test squad for the three-match series against South Africa. India will kick off their South African tour with the Boxing Day Test match on 26th December 2021 at Centurion.