Anil Kumble lauds Mohammed Siraj’s 'consistent line and length' strategy on Day 3

Updated - 17 Feb 2024, 08:25 PM

Anil Kumble, Mohammed Siraj
Anil Kumble, Mohammed Siraj [PC: X/Twitter]

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj bowled a marvelous spell on Day 3 of India vs England 3rd Test. Cricketer-turned-commentator Anil Kumble heaped praises on Mohammed Siraj after his fabulous bowling show. Anil Kumble appreciated Mohammed Siraj’s different bowling strategy on Day 3.

Mohammed Siraj clinched four wickets to demolish England’s batting. He helped the team to outplay England at 319 all-out from 199-2 at the start of Day 3. The right-arm pacer dismissed Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, and James Anderson to steal 4 wickets for 84 runs during his spell.

Notably, due to Siraj’s spectacular spell, England lost their last 5 wickets in the span of 20 runs. At one stage, they railed at 298-6. Siraj bundled them out for 319 by crushing tailenders.

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Anil Kumble hails Mohammed Siraj

While speaking on Jio Cinema during the tea break, former Indian skipper Anil Kumble hailed Mohammed Siraj for his outstanding bowling show. Kumble praised Siraj’s bowling strategy of consistent line and length on Day 3.

“I think what was impressive about (Mohammed) Siraj and this spell today was his consistent line and length, which wasn’t there yesterday. Of course, the batters took him on with the new ball. He was trying a bit too much”, said Anil Kumble.

“Maybe today, he just thought, let me just go both line and length, wicket to wicket. Yes, the field that was set, had enough sort of catching positions and just kept bowling the stump”.

“Credit to Siraj for his consistent line and length, and you can see that from the pitch map as well. You know, all of that, uh, pitch map, the balls that he has bowl has been in and around the good landmarks”, the 53-year-old further said.

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Anil Kumble backs good line and length on Indian pitches

Anil Kumble also reckoned bowlers need to take care of line and length when bowling on Indian pitches. According to Kumble, the variations will not help unless a bowler follows a good line and length.

“So if you go there consistently on an Indian pitch, if you’re a fast bowler, Bumrah has shown you don’t need too many variations. But if you’re all over the place and the line and length is not consistent, then it doesn’t matter how many variations you have,” the former leg spinner further said.

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India finishes with 196-2 on Day 3

Meanwhile, India bowled out England for 319 in 1st innings as the visitors trailed by 126 runs after 1st innings. Later, India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal also smashed a century. Reaching 196-2 total at the stumps of Day 3,

India increased their lead by 322 runs on Day 3. Rohit Sharma lost his wicket for 19 runs at the start. However, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal etched a brilliant stand of 154 runs before Jaiswal retired himself out. Rajat Patidar got out for a 10-ball duck.

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Anil Kumble Ben Foakes England National Cricket Team IND vs ENG India National Cricket Team India vs England India vs England 2024 Mohammed Siraj Ollie Pope Rehan Ahmed