Image Source : AP Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj took the primary five-wicket haul of his Test profession on Day 4 of the Brisbane Test in opposition to Australia.
Mohammed Siraj’s story previously few weeks has been nothing in need of inspirational. The pacer misplaced his father whereas he with the Indian staff, when it was collaborating within the limited-overs collection in Australia. He wasn’t within the T20I or ODI squad, however made the robust resolution to remain in Australia, given the strict bio-secure protocols in place.
An damage to Mohammed Shami proved blessing in disguise for Siraj as he made his Test debut within the Boxing Day match at Melbourne.
It was a superb debut for Siraj, as he took 5 wickets within the sport. But it wasn’t the performances within the cricket area which proved irksome for the pacer; Siraj confronted racial abuse from a piece of followers on the Sydney Cricket Ground earlier this month. The former gamers and followers have since lauded Siraj’s robust response to racism, as he complained on the identical to the umpires on the Day 4 of the Tets, finally resulting in the abusers being led out of the stadium.
Despite plenty of hardships, Siraj continued to be at his greatest when it comes to performances. In the ultimate Test, Siraj, who was solely two-Tests previous, grew to become probably the most senior pacer within the Indian XI — due to the lengthy record of accidents within the squad. And boy, did he stay as much as the tag.
Siraj struck within the first over of the Test, dismissing the damaging David Warner. It was his solely wicket of the innings however he remained probably the most economical pacer within the Indian innings.
In the second innings, Siraj was rewarded for his endurance, as he made the a lot of the ultimate alternative to bowl in Australia, ending the collection together with his maiden fifer in Test cricket. The pacer started with a double-strike within the thirty first over of the Australian innings, which proved key to India’s comeback within the sport. He dismissed Marnus Labuschagne (25) and Matthew Wade (0), earlier than breaking one other 73-run stand to dismiss Steve Smith (55).
The second Mohammed Siraj broke by way of for his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket! @VodafoneAU | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/xZgHvrVgZE— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 18, 2021
The Aussies did struggle again, including essential runs by way of Tim Paine (27) and Cameron Green (37), however Shardul Thakur eliminated the duo because the guests remained within the hunt.
In the top, it boiled all the way down to the tussle between Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj, as each remained on 4 wickets. Quite poetically, Thakur took the catch which gave Siraj his maiden five-wicket haul, because the pacer dismissed Josh Hazlewood on 9.
India require 328 runs to win in Brisbane and seal the four-match collection. The aspect may retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a draw.
