Ahead of India’s grueling Test tour of England, legendary Indian batsman VVS Laxman heaped praise on Mohammed Siraj, saying the young speedster has tremendous stamina and he is a very skillful bowler with his ability to swing the ball deceptively and bowl long spells.
He further went on to call Siraj a “dangerous bowler” given his ability to maintain speed, bounce, and movement for a long period while saying the pace bowler has the capability to become bowling great if he continues to work hard over the next few years.
Siraj is all set to travel to England along with the Indian cricket team for the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand starting June 18 in Southampton followed by a five-match Test series against Joe Root and his team in August-September 2021. Team India will leave for the UK on June 2.
Laxman told Hyderabad-based Siasat Daily: “Siraj is a very skillful bowler. For any fast bowler, there are two very important requirements. Firstly, he must have the ability to swing the ball deceptively. Siraj has this ability in abundance. Secondly, a fast bowler has to be able to bowl long spells. This ability too, Siraj has in him. He has tremendous stamina. He can come back for his third spell and bowl with just as much venom as he did in his first two spells.”
Hailing the right-arm pacer, he added: “This ability to maintain speed, bounce, and movement over a long period is what makes Siraj such a dangerous bowler. There is no time for the batsmen to relax. Siraj just keeps coming back again and again and he keeps hammering away at the batsmen. That is why he picks wickets even in his third spell. It is an important quality for any fast bowler to possess.”
Laxman signed off by saying, “Provided he continues to work hard over the next few years, Siraj can be a really big name in international cricket. He certainly has the qualities and the potential to do so.”
(With IANS Inputs)
