Former India player Cheteshwar Pujara has claimed that either a niggle or some other problem is bothering Mohammed Siraj in the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka. He pointed out that the star bowler lacked the nip he is known for while bowling with the new ball.
Siraj registered figures of 1/11 in nine overs in Sri Lanka’s second innings in Colombo on Wednesday, August 26. The hosts ended Day 4 at 229/6, with a 16-run lead, after being asked to follow-on earlier in the day.
During a discussion on Sony Sports, Pujara noted that Siraj’s lack of pace is concerning. However, he praised the right-arm seamer for striking a crucial blow with the new ball.
“His commitment is full. He can never bowl or field with half-hearted effort. A slight concern was visible in his bowling because you see his pace drop very rarely. In this Test match and this innings, it could be either a niggle or some difficulty, and that’s why his pace was seen at around 125 or 130 kph,” the cricketer-turned-commentator said.
“Hopefully, he doesn’t have too much difficulty, but this is a one-off. You very rarely see Mohammed Siraj’s pace being so low. We saw his commitment in fielding. The only thing I felt in his bowling today was that, with the new ball, the nip he is known for wasn’t there. Despite that, he gave an important wicket to the Indian team with the new ball. He bowled a very good bouncer,” he added.
Mohammed Siraj mentioned that he is searching for rhythm in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka. However, he gave India a crucial breakthrough with the new ball by having Lahiru Udara caught by Saransh Jain at deep fine leg off a bouncer.
“Siraj is always like a lion on the field” – Srikar Bharat lauds Indian seamer’s fielding effort on Day 4 of SL vs IND 2026 2nd Test
In the same discussion, former India wicketkeeper-batter Srikar Bharat was asked about Mohammed Siraj’s splendid, albeit failed, effort to catch Pasindu Sooriyabandara.
“Siraj is always like a lion on the field. We have seen that when he bowls. He has a very big heart. Whether it’s in bowling or fielding, on or outside the ground, it doesn’t matter to him. He puts in a lot of effort,” he replied.
The analyst pointed out that fast bowlers rarely attempt such catches.
“He knew the ball was far, but one rarely sees such an effort coming from a fast bowler. Siraj got injured, went out, did icing, and then returned. He gives his everything until the last ball. We have seen that repeatedly. That is why he became Miyan,” Bharat observed.
Mohammed Siraj tried to take a diving catch to dismiss Pasindu Sooriyabandara off Manav Suthar‘s bowling. He suffered a rib injury in the process, but returned to the field after treatment.
Edited by Kartik Iyer
