Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali questioned Mohammed Siraj form after India’s eight-wicket loss against New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Siraj took two wickets in the first innings but went wicketless in the second essay against the Kiwis.
Siraj hasn’t been able to deliver the goods in home Test matches, returning with 19 wickets in 13 games at an average of 38.95 and strike rate of 62.63.
On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah has been right on the money. Bumrah returned with figures of 1-41 in the first innings and then registered 2-29 in the second essay and he was the pick of the bowlers. Bumrah has scalped 173 wickets in 39 Test matches at an outstanding average of 20.24.
Basit Ali said on his YouTube Channel, “The eight-over spell that Bumrah bowled reminded me of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. But India need to take into consideration that they will need two pace bowlers alongside him when they go to Australia. At the moment, he (Bumrah) does not have a good pace bowling partner. Shami getting fit before the Australia tour will be crucial for India.”
Meanwhile, Basit Ali feels this loss has come as an eye opener for head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of the Australia tour.
“Now that India have lost a Test, all the guns will be pointed at KL Rahul. Let’s see how Gautam Gambhir tackles this. Rahul Dravid tackled it very well. Ahead of the Australia tour, this defeat has come as an eye-opener for Gautam Gambhir,” said Basit Ali.
The second Test match between India and New Zealand will be played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune from Thursday onwards.
