"This is for Ashwin" - Mohammad Kaif hails Mohammed Siraj's heroics in Rajkot Test

Mohammed Siraj was brilliant with the ball for India in the first innings against England as he took a figure of 4/84 in the first innings restricting England to 319. India were ahead by 126 runs after England were bowled out for 319. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif was impressed with Mohammed Siraj’s performance in the first innings and praised him and the entire bowling unit for their top-class performance on the third day of the Test match in Rajkot.

The Indian bowling was in shambles on day 2 as Ben Duckett bombed the bowlers with his terrific shot-making and boundary-hitting. However, the storm named Duckett was calmed by Kuldeep Yadav on a rather poor delivery which eventually got him out after a terrific knock scoring 153 off 151 deliveries, an innings with 23 fours and two sixes. However, Mohammed Siraj started his wicket-taking proceedings on Day 2 as he dismissed Ollie Pope trapping him LBW. He dismissed Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed and James Anderson on Day 3 to complete his four-fer.

Mohammed Siraj has been very consistent in red-ball cricket for India. He also performed brilliantly in the Test series against South Africa where he registered his best figures in Test cricket of 6/15 in Cape Town. He was wicketless in Hyderabad and was eventually rested in the second Test which was played in Vizag. Mohammed Siraj was included in the playing XI for this game and he has not disappointed in terms of wickets as he has taken a four-fer against England.

“The team needed someone to step up in the absence of their senior-most bowler and look how the entire bowling unit has responded. This is for Ashwin from the team,” Mohammad Kaif tweeted after India bowled out England for 319 in the first innings and took a lead of 126 runs.

Mohammed Siraj gets lauded for his performance by Mohammad Kaif

“Apna Siraj Aag hai, Aag! The team needed someone to step up in the absence of their senior most bowler and look how the entire bowling unit has responded. This is for Ashwin from the team. #IndvEng,” he stated.

Apna Siraj Aag hai, Aag! 🔥

The team needed someone to step up in the absence of their senior most bowler and look how the entire bowling unit has responded. This is for Ashwin from the team. #IndvEng pic.twitter.com/CVZ9rR3xCL

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 17, 2024

India posted 445 in the first innings against England laying back on centuries by skipper Rohit Sharma who smashed 131 off 196 deliveries and local hero Ravindra Jadeja who played a knock scoring 112 off 225 deliveries. The debutants Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel also impressed everyone with their 62 and 46 respectively powering India to a big total.

India and England are playing the third Test at the Niranjan Shah Cricket Stadium in Rajkot and both teams are looking to take a lead in this five-match series as the series is currently levelled at 1-1. India lost the first Test in Hyderabad by 28 runs but then made a terrific comeback to win the second Test by a huge margin of 106 runs in Vizag.

India has not lost a Test series at home since the defeat against England in 2012 and the hosts have won 16 consecutive Test series at home since 2012. They hope to continue their unbeaten run in India and would aim to win this series against England.