Jasprit Bumrah And Mohammed Siraj Are Almost Identical - Lakshmipathy Balaji

Former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji says that while it is not possible to find an exact replacement for Jasprit Bumrah considering the elite standards the fast bowler has set, Mohammed Siraj, however, is a close identical replacement of Bumrah.

Lakshmipathy Balaji is highly impressed by Siraj stepping up in absence of the senior pacers in Australia. The Hyderabad-born seamer returned as India’s highest wicket-taker from the tour Down Under after India lost the first-choice seamers match after match. Siraj picked 13 wickets in 3 Tests, including his maiden five-for in Brisbane, helping India register a historic triumph.

He continued in the same rich vein of form in the home England Tests and the IPL 2021 as well for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Now, Siraj will fly to England for the WTC final and the following Test series – it remains to be senior whether the management trusts the in-form youngster over the experienced pair of Ishant Sharma or Mohammed Shami in the WTC final.

The ball path, dismissal patterns are similar: Lakshmipathy Balaji

Lakshmipathy Balaji observed that Siraj has similar bowling characteristics to that of spearhead pacer Jasprit Bumrah. He reckons Siraj would give an attacking option to Virat Kohli even if Bumrah isn’t available.

The Chennai Super Kings bowling coach, who has recently recovered from covid-19 which he contracted during the IPL, asserts that the performances of the fringe bowlers in Australia, in absence of Ishant, Shami, Bumrah, and Umesh Yadav – all pacers missed some or entire series – was laudable as they still managed to pick all 20 wickets culminating in India’s victory.

“With Bumrah’s talent, you have to see a similar replacement for him. He cannot be identically replaced as he is an exceptionally talented bowler. He is a match-winner. At the same time, you have an opportunity for an identical talent to thrive, say Siraj.

“The ball pretty much comes out of the hand perpendicular, angles away from the left-hander, straightens for the right-hander. They are almost identical, not exactly the same,” Lakshmipathy Balaji told Cricketnext.

“The ball path, dismissal patterns are similar – LBW, bowled, caught behind. If Bumrah is not there, who gives almost the same, if not exactly the same, performance? Find a formula. Similar tactical discussions will help the captain, the team management, not go straight into defence but look for the offence if Bumrah is not there.

“India’s Test series win in Australia is a classic case. Without Bumrah and Shami, the Indian bowlers still managed to take 20 wickets. That was tactics and skills matching at the right time,” he added.

Also Read: Mohammad Amir Is One Of The Best In The World, Should Be In Pakistan’s World T20 Squad – Wasim Akram