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'Don't Think Siraj Has Delivered,' BCCI Ex-Selector Questions Pacer's Place In Indian Test Team

Mohammed Siraj alongside Jasprit Bumrah [Source: BCCI]Mohammed Siraj alongside Jasprit Bumrah [Source: BCCI]

Former Indian cricketer Saba Karim has expressed concerns over Mohammed Siraj’s performance in the first Test against New Zealand, stating that the management should address any pressure the pacer might be experiencing before the second Test begins on October 24 in Pune. Siraj, despite showing promise, struggled in India’s defeat by eight wickets in Bengaluru.

In India’s previous Test series against Bangladesh, they fielded three pacers, but against New Zealand, the management adjusted the playing XI to include three spinners and two seamers. Akash Deep, who had been in good form, was replaced by Kuldeep Yadav, while Siraj retained his place despite a poor performance in the Bangladesh series. However, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer couldn’t justify the faith shown in him.  

In the first innings, Siraj took two wickets—those of Daryl Mitchell and Tim Southee—while conceding runs at an economy of 4.70. He bowled with more control in the second innings but lacked the impact to trouble New Zealand's batters, in contrast to Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled with menace and claimed two key wickets.  

Karim suggested that the team management should reassess Siraj's role. 

"I reckon that Mohammed Siraj may be under some kind of pressure and I'm sure they will have a discussion before they pick the XI for the next test match. Because as a front-line seam bowler in a Test match, you are expected to pick wickets with the new ball and also come back and bowl well with the second new ball. To that extent, I don't think that Siraj has delivered and more so now, with Akash coming in and picking some early wicket. Plus Akash has got enough experience of bowling on such tracks in Indian conditions because he's been around for a number of years for for Bengal. So you would look to have somebody on your side who has the experience of bowling on such tracks, even though the tracks have been lifeless," Karim said.

New Zealand Beat India By 8 Wickets In Bengaluru

The first Test was marred by rain on Day 1, and on the following day, India suffered a major batting collapse, getting bowled out for just 46, their third-lowest score in Test history. New Zealand’s pace duo—Matt Henry (5/15) and Will O'Rourke (4/22)—tore through the Indian lineup.  

New Zealand responded emphatically by posting 402, with stellar contributions from Rachin Ravindra (134), Devon Conway (91). Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets each, while Siraj managed two dismissals.

Trailing by 356 runs, India showed resilience in their second innings, amassing 462 runs thanks to Sarfaraz Khan’s 150, Rishabh Pant’s 99. However, their 106-run lead proved insufficient. On Day 5, New Zealand comfortably chased down the target, with Will Young (48) and Rachin Ravindra (39) guiding them to victory—marking New Zealand’s first Test win in India in 36 years.