VVS Laxman hailed India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj as one of the best in the world at the moment, saying the right-hander is a great asset for Team India.
Mohammed Siraj arguably has been one of the best finds for India this year in the longest format of the game, having made his Test debut in and against Australia this year.
It didn’t take him long to assert his authority as he, in the absence of senior pacers, took the responsibility and ended the Border-Gavaskar series as the highest wicket-taker for his side with 12 wickets to his name and then also took 14 wickets in England in four Tests.
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In the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand, in which Indian win 1-0, Siraj bowled exceptionally well in the only match he played, the second Test in Mumbai, as he ran through the visitors’ top-order to help his side bundle out the opposition for just 62 runs in first innings.
Speaking on Star Sports, VVS Laxman lauded Mohammed Siraj for his energy and intensity against New Zealand in the second Test in Mumbai. He added that it’s great to witness the pacer showing confidence in his craft.
"He had a fantastic plan of bowling short-pitched deliveries and getting the important wicket of captain Latham. I enjoy his energy and intensity... the way he runs in hard towards the crease and it's great to see him show so much confidence in his craft," VVS Laxman said.
"He is growing and progressing really well as a Test match bowler. We have seen the way he performed when Bumrah, Shami and Ishant were not there in Australia. To go and back it up with impressive performances in England against a good batting line-up," he added.
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VVS Laxman also praised Mohammed Siraj for his fiery spell against New Zealand in the second Test in Mumbai. He remarked that the pacer is a great asset to Team India and is currently one of the world’s best bowlers.
"The way he bowled on the surface - which assisted his style of bowling, and then the length he bowled on, and the way he consistently bowled with the seam. He is a great asset to this Indian team. Make no mistake... he is one of the world's best at the moment," he said.
Notably, Mohammed Siraj is also the leading wicket-taker for India in terms of pacers in Tests this year with 28 wickets in 9 matches. He’s also likely to find a place in the Indian squad that will tour South Africa later this month.
(Star Sports inputs)
