Mohammed Siraj Is Slowly Pushing His Way As India's Second-Choice Bowler - Brad Hogg

Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg opined that Mohammed Siraj is now pushing to be India’s second-choice pacer ahead of Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami.

The Hyderabad bowler has had a terrific start to his Test career – he returned as India’s leading wicket-taker from Australia. He was, however, omitted from the WTC final as Virat Kohli went with the three experienced pacers.

With Ishant Sharma unfit for the first Test against England, Mohammed Siraj was given a go at Trent Bridge. He picked up a solitary wicket in England’s first innings; but with conditions favouring his swing bowling, Kohli gave Mohammed Siraj the new ball to share with Jasprit Bumrah instead of Shami. The seamer struck with the wicket of Rory Burns; he later dismissed the imperious-looking Jonny Bairstow as well.

Brad Hogg now boldly said that the RCB pacer is pushing Ishant and Shami to be the second-choice pacer. The Aussie is impressed by Mohammed Siraj’s give-all attitude every ball.

“Siraj brilliant love his energy to keep coming in a full tilt every ball and not afraid to express himself. Slowly pushing his way as India’s second choice bowler in the XI,” Hogg tweeted.

Siraj brilliant love his energy to keep coming in a full tilt every ball and not afraid to express himself. Slowly pushing his way as India's second choice bowler in the XI. #INDvENG

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) August 8, 2021

Mohammed Siraj sledges Sam Curran on Day 4

Apart from troubling the English batsmen in Nottingham, Mohammed Siraj is also toying with them verbally. On Day 4, the speedster was in Sam Curran’s face after the batsman ducked a bouncer. Mohammed Siraj heavily sledged Curran; the bouncer was a reaction of being hit for a boundary by Curran, and thus the sledging. Even captain Kohli had to intervene to pacify his seamer.

Also, earlier, he gave Jonny Bairstow a finder-on-lips send-off after dismissing him. On Day 3, when Siraj was batting he even bumped his shoulder into pacer James Anderson and exchanged words with him. The Hyderabad pacer is likely to be penalized by the match referee after the game for his provoking actions.

Also Read: Not A Lot, Just The Mindset Adjustments – Jasprit Bumrah On Changes He Made After WTC Final