VVS Laxman Insists Mohammed Siraj Should Be In India's Playing XI Against South Africa

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman reckoned that pace bowler, Mohammed Siraj, has done more than enough to warrant a place in the playing XI of the Indian team when they go to visit South Africa this month.

Laxman believes that Siraj is India’s third-best pacer after Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami. Since the surfaces in South Africa are quite favorable to the pacers, Siraj can thrive on them. His pace will also come into play as he is considerably faster than the other seamer in contention, Ishant Sharma.

“This would be a difficult decision for Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli. It depends on how many fast bowlers will you play. You know that Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are your first and second choices as far as Test cricket is concerned in overseas conditions. So, will Mohammed Siraj be number 3 or 4? The way he bowled in Australia and England, and even in the second Test.. for me, he is the number 3,” Laxman said on Star Sports.

Aakash Chopra concurs with VVS Laxman’s opinion

Aakash Chopra also felt that Mohammed Siraj should be in the team, for his ability to move the ball sideways and the ability to hit the pitch hard and bowl back of a length deliveries.

“I agree (with Laxman). With Kookaburra, you want your bowler to hit the deck hard and get the ball to make sideways movement, and that is going to happen in South Africa. You may play three fast bowlers or 4, but Siraj needs to be in the XI,” Chopra said.

Siraj picked three wickets in a fiery spell on Saturday against New Zealand. He dismissed Will Young, Tom Latham, and Ross Taylor to put India on the front foot.

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