Lakshmipathy Balaji compares the bowling style of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj and claims them to be identical


Lakshmipathy Balaji compares the bowling style of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj and claims them to be identical

Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah

The Indian cricket team, led by Virat Kohli is all set for the UK tour as they play New Zealand in the much-awaited final of the World Test Championship between June 18th-22nd at Southampton. Following this, India will also play a five-match Test series against the hosts England starting from 4th August. Talking about the Indian team for this tour, Lakshmipathy Balaji praised India’s pace bowling attack.

In an insightful interview with Cricketnext, Balaji discussed Bumrah’s distinctive characteristics as well as the resemblance in character and action between him and Mohammed Siraj. Balaji also lauded the bowling trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma, three senior Indian pacers. He admired Mohammed Siraj, whose performances against Australia and England were amazing and attracted the selectors.

Lakshmipathy Balaji on Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj

Lakshmipathy Balaji
Lakshmipathy Balaji

Lakshmipathy Balaji spoke about Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj and said, “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. The ball pretty much comes out of the hand perpendicular, angles away from the left-hander, straightens for the right-hander. They are almost identical, not exactly the same.”

Bumrah and Siraj, according to Balaji have a common dismissal technique and method of removing the batsmen. If India can come up with a decent plan for Bumrah and Siraj, he believes Siraj would be a perfect alternative if Bumrah is injured or unavailable.

“The ball path, dismissal patterns are similar – LBW, bowled, caught behind. If Bumrah is not there, who gives almost the same, if not exactly the same, performance? Find a formula. Similar tactical discussions will help the captain, the team management, not go straight into defence but look for the offense if Bumrah is not there. India’s Test series win in Australia is a classic case. Without Bumrah and Shami, the Indian bowlers still managed to take 20 wickets. That was tactics and skills matching at the right time,” added Balaji.

It is going to be a good headache for Virat Kohli and the management to select their ideal pacers in the playing XI for the WTC final.

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