“Siraj already thinks he is James Anderson” - Twitterati question Indian pacer’s over-aggressive tactics amid ineffective bowling performance
Mohammed Siraj was one of India’s most successful bowlers in the first innings of the Chattogram Test against Bangladesh. He claimed 3/20 in 13 overs as Bangladesh were bundled out for 150 in response to India’s first-innings total of 404.
The 28-year-old, however, looked rather ineffective in the first two sessions of play on Day 4 of the Test on Saturday, December 17. Despite failing to make an impact, he kept having a go at the Bangladesh batters. He attempted to get under opener Najmul Hossain Shanto’s skin by constantly sledging him, but the batter responded with a smile.
Later in the innings, he also tried to intimidate debutant Zakir Hasan, who decided not to engage in any argument with the bowler and instead preferred to look away.
While Siraj has tasted success with his aggressive ploy, the Twitterati were not quite pleased with his verbal actions on Day 4, especially since he wasn’t able to deliver with the ball in the first two sessions.
https://t.co/N8HVODH5o1
While some users trolled him for trying to imitate Virat Kohli’s aggression, others asked him to focus on his bowling instead of indulging in sledging the opposition batters. Many of them also criticized the right-arm pacer for failing to make an impact with the ball in hand.
Here are some reactions from the micro-blogging site to Siraj’s bowling in the first two sessions of Day 4 of the Chattogram Test:
@BCCI Abhi video banaye Siraj on fire bolke, what is this behaviour
Siraj bhai mat kar bhai please 🙏
#INDvBAN#siraj already thinks he is James Anderson 😅 #INDvBAN
Why is KL still bowling with Siraj ?? He ain't even Little effective
Yaar...what a character siraj is 😭😭🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/K0xmD2LQcH
Siraj mei bite ni dikhri, hatane ka time aagya #BANvIND
Siraj yrr kaise bowling krra h aj😭
Litton ne bhe four maardiya🤣
@AIH183no Siraj is pretty overrated tbh .
@SonyLIV Siraj smile 😜
The pitch has eased out at Chattogram. On flat decks, Siraj is so overrated.
Not a lot of difference between Shardul and Siraj. In fact, Shardul might actually be better in seam friendly conditions.
Will the second-inning Siraj turn up 🤫
Siraj itna aggression dikha rha hai same kohli jaisa...I hate these kind of players.
Siraj is very pretentious test bowler..
Siraj x Litton in the background daku song playing in my mind.
#INDvsBAN
Get Umesh on. Siraj bowling useless scrambled seam deliveries out there. He doesn't have the temperament or patience to be testt class bowler. #BAN V IND
Smile on face, no over aggression, do bowling on good length and you get wicket, Siraj learn this from Umesh Yadav
Bangladesh went to tea on Day 4 at 176/3, with Hasan batting on 82 and Mushfiqur Rahim on two.
When Siraj won the sledging battle against Das in the first innings
While the Indian pacer has so far failed to make an impact in the second innings, he was much more successful with both the ball and his sledging tactics in the first essay.
Bangladesh batter Litton Das was in an aggressive mood and was looking to counter-attack the Indian bowlers. Siraj got into his ears, but the Bangladesh cricketer gave it back. Immediately after their verbal tussle, though, the Indian fast bowler cleaned up Das.
At a press conference following the second day’s play, Siraj opened up on the chat between him and Das. Making light of the incident, he said:
“No, nothing. I just told him it’s not T20 format. This is Test cricket, so play sensible cricket.”
Das was bowled for 24 off 30 as Bangladesh crumbled in response to India’s first innings total of 404.