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Ravichandran Ashwin has publicly urged Mohammed Siraj to adapt his bowling approach in the upcoming second Test against England. While Jasprit Bumrah delivered a fiery five-wicket haul in the first innings, the rest of the bowling attack, particularly Siraj, failed to provide adequate support.
Ravichandran Ashwin requests Mohammed Siraj to take on a different responsibility in India’s second Test
In a detailed analysis on his YouTube channel, Ashwin was critical of Siraj’s performance in the first Test at Headingley, where India suffered a crushing five-wicket defeat. Ashwin emphasized that Siraj doesn’t need to constantly chase wickets. Instead, he asked, “My only question to Siraj is…can you dry up the run flow? You don’t have to pick up wickets. But can you not give away 4-5 runs every over? If runs are being leaked, then you have to bring Bumrah back into the attack. How many dams will Bumrah be able to construct?,”
Highlighting how Siraj’s aggressive style forced Bumrah to bowl longer and harder spells, despite being on a workload management plan, Ashwin stressed the need for the Hyderabad pacer to build pressure through economy and discipline.
“Also, he gets tired, and his spells are pushed, and by then, partnerships are forged. Or you’d have to go with Jadeja, who has to step in and stem the flow of runs. Prasidh is playing for the first time, and he is inexperienced,” the former Indian cricketer added.
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Ashwin’s clear blueprint for the Edgbaston Test for Siraj
Ashwin didn’t stop at criticism, he offered a clear blueprint for what Siraj needs to do. Drawing comparisons to South African pacer Morne Morkel, Ashwin explained how a support bowler’s spell could define a match’s rhythm.
“So Siraj has to play the bankable role. Remember how Morne Morkel used to bowl 2/43 in 20 overs? That should be his role. In Bazball, you could go for 2/58, I guess. Siraj has to play that role, and if he is effective in it, then it would make a huge difference,” the cricketing legend shared.
Ashwin made it clear that Siraj’s new role is not just about statistics, it’s about team balance and support. With Bumrah operating under strict workload limitations, and Prasidh Krishna being inexperienced, Ashwin believes the onus is on Siraj to be the ‘cushion,’ between the two. Ashwin pointed out If both Siraj and Prasidh leak runs, India risks losing control of the match once again.
“You can’t just bowl aggressively throughout your spell. He has to take that responsibility and be a cushion to Bumrah and protect Prasidh, who is new on the side. Let him pick those wickets throughout the day, and not let him blast out and want to pick five wickets in a seven-over spell. But if Siraj is going to continue his style, and Prasidh is also going to leak runs, then you need someone to come in and play the holding role,” Ashwin concluded.
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