Be a cushion to Jasprit Bumrah: R Ashwin asks Siraj to take new role in 2nd Test

India Today

2 days ago

Ravichandran Ashwin was critical of Mohammed Siraj's performance in the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, which saw the Indian team suffer a crushing defeat by five wickets. The former Indian cricketer has asked the senior bowler to step up and take responsibility by stopping the runs conceded from his bowling to help build the pressure from one end.Ashwin, on his YouTube channel, openly admitted that Siraj does not need to take wickets consistently to prove his worth. In the recently concluded Test, the bowler from Hyderabad looked to be trying too hard to get a wicket and did not build up to it as most classical bowlers tend to do.advertisementAs a result, with Siraj leaking runs, it put the pressure on Bumrah to get the breakthrough, despite his workload management issues.
"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? " Ashwin asked."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," he added.SIRAJ HAS TO PLAY THE BANKABLE ROLE: ASHWINadvertisementAshwin even asked Siraj to take tips from the Indian bowling coach, Morne Morkel, who used to showcase brilliant accuracy over spells during his Test career for South Africa. During his time with the Proteas, he formed a lethal trio alongside Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander."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," Ashwin shared.Ashwin understands the role of wicket-taking in the longest format, but he also highlighted the role of bowling partnerships and how the units needed to work for each other as well, working as a collective to get a batter out as opposed to banking on one man to get the job done."I agree that wicket-taking is important in Test cricket. But in Test cricket, you also bowl for one another. Ishant Sharma used to do it wonderfully. He played the Morkel role very well. He would hold the pressure on one end, and would have given just 40-odd runs after an entire day's play. Of course, I am not asking Siraj to do the same, but regulate the leakage of runs," he mentioned.IF NOT SIRAJ, THEN WHO?advertisementTo be fair, Siraj is not someone who is known for his accuracy. It's his pace and the ability to use the wobbly seam that are his best traits. But Ashwin does not think that is as important as finding someone who has the discipline and skill to bowl accurately over a long period of time."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," he added.This is probably where the Indian team is missing someone like Mohammed Shami. However, his chances of making a comeback come down to his fitness issues and whether the team still considers him an asset despite his age.Another possible individual is Arshdeep Singh, who has yet to get the chance in red-ball cricket. His additional variety with his left-arm pace can also be a handy asset on the side, if he can prove himself in the long run.- EndsMust Watch