Former Indian fast bowler and currently the bowling coach of the Chennai Super Kings(CSK) Laxmipathy Balaji has heaped praise on the current Indian pace attack highlighting the skill-set brought by each of the trios of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma.
Looking ahead at India’s four-month-long tour of England and the World Test Championship final, Balaji spoke about the unique qualities of Bumrah while also comparing the similarities in style and action between him and Siraj. Pacer Siraj had fitted into Bumrah’s shoes almost perfectly in Australia in 2020-21. In the absence of the Indian quartet, he returned as the highest wicket-taker for India in the Test series Down Under.
Bumrah has had an exceptional start to his Test career with 83 wickets in 19 matches. Balaji stated that was absolutely impossible to find a replacement for the pacer as he is extremely talented. However, Balaji added that in Siraj he sees someone who has the same qualities as Bumrah with a lot of similarities in action, line, length, and delivery.
Balaji on Bumrah and Siraj:
Former Indian bowler Laxmipathy Balaji shared his views on the pacers Bumrah and Siraj ahead of the four month long England tour. This what Balaji had to say on the similarities between the bowlers-
“With Bumrah’s talent, you have to see a similar replacement for him. He cannot be identically replaced as he is an exceptionally talented bowler. He is a match-winner. At the same time, you have an opportunity for an identical talent to thrive, say Siraj. They are almost identical, not exactly the same.”
The Chennai Super Kings bowling coach added that Bumrah and Siraj even have a similar pattern of dismissal and mode of getting the batsmen out. He said that if India can devise a common strategy for Bumrah and Siraj, then the latter could be an ideal replacement if and when Bumrah is injured or not available.
“Similar tactical discussions will help the captain, the team management, not go straight into defense but look for the offense if Bumrah is not there. India’s Test series win in Australia is a classic case.”
BCCI is all set for the maiden ICC World Test Championship, according to some reports the players have already started to get in the team bubble, and soon the players will fly to England for a four-month-long tour.
