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'Drop Siraj...' - Former MI Star Minces No Words Ahead Of IND vs ENG Vizag Test

image-ls1a2b5eMohammed Siraj had a forgettable Test in his hometown

In the lead-up to the second Test against England in Vizag, former Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has offered some strategic advice to the Indian team, suggesting a significant change to their lineup.


Parthiv Patel advised Indian team to opt for extra batter in Vizag Test

Following a less-than-ideal performance from Mohammed Siraj in the opening Test, where the fast bowler failed to secure any wickets and was underutilized, Patel recommends introducing an additional batsman to the team's composition.

During the match, Siraj, playing in his hometown, was only called upon to bowl a total of 11 overs, during which he conceded 50 runs. His involvement was minimal, and he also became the final wicket to fall, contributing to India's defeat in the match.

The absence of Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul due to injuries has presented a selection challenge for the Indian team as they prepare for the next Test in Vizag.

Patel argued that with the current setup, three spinners should suffice, pointing out the limited use of Siraj in the previous Test. He also highlighted the decision to select Axar Patel over Kuldeep Yadav which was influenced by the former's batting capabilities.

"There is no doubt that three spinners are enough, but I have a different perspective. You have used Siraj for only six or seven overs throughout the Test. Axar Patel played ahead of Kuldeep Yadav because of his batting abilities, as mentioned by Rohit Sharma before the Test. And if you are not using Siraj much, then why not play an extra pure batter," said Patel on JioCinema.



Patel's critique focused on optimizing the team's resources, suggesting that if a bowler like Siraj is to be used sparingly, the team could benefit more from adding a pure batter to the lineup. According to him, this adjustment would not only deepen the batting order but also maintain a balanced bowling attack with the likes of Ashwin, Axar, and Kuldeep.

"So, you will have three types of bowlers in Ashwin, Axar, and Kuldeep, and the extra batter will add depth to the batting. And there’s no point playing someone if you are going to give him only seven overs," concluded the erstwhile stumper.

With the inclusion of Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, and Saurabh Kumar in the squad, following the injuries to key players, India has options to consider ahead of the second Test in Vizag, starting Friday, February 2.