Mohammed Siraj has grown in stature after making his Test debut in India’s incredible 2020/21 series triumph in Australia. However, the fast bowler had a hit-or-miss performance during the current England trip.
Siraj collected four wickets in the first innings of the postponed fifth Test against England, but he gave up 98 runs for no wickets in the second in just 15 overs as India lost by seven wickets. He did not participate in the T20I series and was only selected once for the ODI series, which India won 2-1.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami had a triumphant return to white-ball cricket in the ODIs. While he only got four wickets, he maintained an economy of 4.87 throughout three matches, with his bowling partner Jasprit Bumrah remarking that he deserved to take far more given how he goes about his job.
Mohammed Siraj Had Un Underwhelming IPL, More Was Expected Out Of Him: Scott Styris
Former New Zealand batsman Scott Styris feels Shami has surpassed Siraj in the pecking order for a place in the T20 World Cup later this year.
“It is all about balance and head-to-head matchups. For me he was up against Mohammad Shami as a direct comparison, quick through the air, skiddy, not that tall necessarily, and doesn’t get a lot of bounce.
“He will do you through pace and maybe depending on where the game is being played, a little bit of reverse,” Styris said on Sports18.
“I think Shami has taken a big step forward. Therefore, Siraj is behind the eight ball if you like. Maybe looking for a backup role as well. He had a really disappointing Indian T20 league for a player I had a lot higher expectations from, and that’s why Shami is in the queue in front of him,” he said.
