"It turned out good for us" - Mohammed Siraj expresses opinion on Joe Root's dismissal

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj helped his team make a comeback in the early hours of Day 3 of the 3rd IND vs ENG Test match. Siraj ended the innings with figures of 4/84 and became the pacer to bowl the most successful spell at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. Siraj ripped off the English tail and picked up 3 off the last 4 wickets.

It was a poor start for England as in the space of just 18 runs, they lost two quick wickets in the form of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow to Indian bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav. The wicket of Root proved to be the turning point of England’s first innings. The orthodox batsman played a ‘nothing’ shot against Bumrah and handed over a catch to Yashasvi Jaiswal at slips.

Mohammed Siraj gives his views on Joe Root’s dismissal

While trying to play a reverse sweep to Jasprit Bumrah, Joe Root ended up edging the ball, which went flying to Yashasvi Jaiswal. The wickets started to tumble from here and the three lions added less than 100 runs and were wrapped up for 319.

Speaking after the match, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj believed that Joe Root’s shot should not been played at that time. He added that if the partnership between Root and Ben Duckett had stretched on Day 3, then it would been difficult for the hosts to come back.

Mohammed Siraj said, “Ben Duckett’s partnership was growing with Root, if he had played a little more, then it would have been difficult for us. But suddenly he played that shot which didn’t look (like one) to be played. But it turned out good for us and after that (Ben) Foakes and Ben Stokes had a good partnership, and then Stokes played a shot (which got him out) and we got into the game from there.”

England came back strong on Day 2 of the third IND vs ENG Test match wherein they firstly wrapped up India early whereas, put up a brilliant batting display, and played ‘bazball’. Ben Duckett smashed a brilliant hundred, wherein, he became the fastest English batsman to slam a century in India. England ended the day at 207/2 in 35 overs and were nearly scoring at more than 5 runs an over.

Getting back to the match, India ended Day 3 at 196/2 wherein Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav are present at the crease. Gill is unbeaten on 65 runs whereas Kuldeep is playing on 3 runs. The day belonged to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who achieved his 2nd 100-plus score of the series and smashed a brilliant ton. Before getting retired hurt for 104, he added 155 runs along with Shubman Gill for the 2nd wicket.

India would be aiming to put up a massive target for England in the second innings and win the match. The series is currently poised at 1-1, and the team would be aiming to gain a lead in the series.

It would be tough for the visitors to chase down the given target in the second innings, as the pitch may become more favorable for the Indian bowlers on Days 4 and 5.