India’s gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was all praise for debutant Mohammed Siraj after the tourists dominated the opening day of the Boxing Day Test match. Siraj scalped two wickets for 40 runs in the first innings and helped India skittle out Australia for a paltry score of 195 runs. Siraj first got the big wicket of Marnus Labushagne, who was well settled at the crease.
The fast bowler from Hyderabad bowled in the right areas and he was able to get his rewards. After taking the crucial wicket of Labuschagne, Siraj also plumbed Cameron Green in front of the wickets.
In fact, Siraj didn’t get the chance to bowl any over in the first session of the opening day, in which the visitors bowled 27 overs. India’s skipper Ajinkya Rahane gave the ball to Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the opening session as there was spin and bounce on offer.
Subsequently, Siraj got his chance to bowl the first over after the lunch break. The right-arm fast bowler bowled economically in his first spell but could not get the breakthrough. The 26-year old pacer got some movement in his second spell and he was able to get the ball in the right areas. Moreover, Siraj took two catches and had a perfect opening day of his Test career.
“Siraj has worked really hard and come up the ranks. He was eager to bowl in the first session itself. There wasn’t a lot happening after lunch and he (Siraj) bowled with a lot of control,” Bumrah said.
“Suddenly he started getting some movement and wanted to make the best of it. Playing his first Test match, he bowled really well and had confidence in using all his skills. It’s a heartening sign for us and hopefully he will continue doing that.”
Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he scalped four wickets. Bumrah was getting the ball to outswing and breathed down the neck of the hosts’ batsmen. Furthermore, Ravichandran Ashwin also scalped three wickets as India had a perfect opening day of the Boxing Day Test match.
India currently trail by 159 runs after they scored 36-1 before stumps on the opening day.
