Kolkata : Indian Assistant coach has opened up on Mohammad Siraj’s dip in bowling form. Despite Siraj drought phase with Ball, team India are confident in backing him.
New Zealand hammered India by 8 wickets in 1st Test , with Siraj finishing on disappointing note of 2/84 & 0/16 spell.
The right arm pacer saw a dip in form in recent past especially on Home soil. He has picked 80 wickets in 30 Matches in which 61 scalps are in SENA nations & only 19 in home Tests after bowling 192 overs.
Despite the rusty patch, Ryan has backed Siraj saying that he’s been in a wicket drought phase. Siraj tested the Kiwi Batters in 2nd innings of the 1st Test although ending being wicketless.
“Siraj bowled beautifully in the second innings. Our last morning was of really high quality. And maybe wasn’t a nicking wicket, which is obviously his big strength, particularly to left handers when he moves the ball across. It is probably not the answer you want to hear but there’s nothing there to say – like he’s not bowling well or his rhythm is not good. And maybe he’s just going through a little bit of a wicked drought,” Ryan ten Doeschate said in the pre-match press conference.
Ryan, opened doors for Siraj in 2nd Test, after speculations of including in form Akash Deep who has shown his wicket taking abilities in every Tests he played. According to the Assistant coach, if Siraj gets another chance, he’ll prove himself.
Ryan said, “But no, no concerns again. I’m sure if he’s given the chance here, we’ve got a few tactical things we wanna work on, coming around the wicket and challenging the stumps a little bit more. But his speeds are good, his accuracy is good. And I thought in the second innings he was excellent”.
“I don’t think specifically to fast bowlers and when the ball is new, but playing a bit more to conditions is something we want to work on,” he said.
“Obviously, that first innings was ridiculously tough with the ball seaming around. There will be other times when fast bowling is the right option to go after it,” he added.
India will face New Zealand at Pune in 2nd Test starting from October 24, after being 0-1 down.
