SA vs IND 2024: “Mohammed Siraj’s planning was brilliant, never seen a spell like that”, says Irfan Pathan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan lauded Mohammed Siraj’s magical spell against South Africa in the second Test match at Newlands, Cape Town on Wednesday. The gun fast bowler returned with his best Test bowling figures of 6-15 in the nine overs he bowled.

Siraj breathed down the neck of the opposition batters with his accurate line and length. As a result, the Proteas were skittled out for a paltry score of 55 runs, their lowest since readmission, after opting to bat first.

Apart from Siraj, Mukesh Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah bagged two wickets apiece. Siraj accounted for Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Tony de Zorzi, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, and Marco Jansen. The Hyderabad pacer bowled all his nine overs on the trot in a single spell.

Siraj consistently bowled in the corridor of uncertainty and reaped rewards for his accurate length.

“Never seen a spell like Mohammed Siraj in my life. Mohammed Siraj definitely had better rhythm today. he was very sharp with his fuller length deliveries,” said Irfan Pathan while talking to Star Sports.

“Siraj’s outswing worked really well today. The days where his outswing clicks, Siraj’s bowling does wonders. The bowling was relentless. When he bowled the first over to Dean Elgar, he did not bowl outside of off stump. Siraj attacked his body, bowled bouncers to him and just when Elgar went into his shell, he bowled on the off side and forced Elgar into a mistake. The planning was stunning today,” Pathan further added.

After bundling out South Africa, India managed 153 runs in their first innings. The visitors were in a commanding position at 153-4 but lost their last six wickets for naught after Lungi Ngidi took three wickets in an over.

At the close of opening day’s play, South Africa were 62-3, trailing India by 36 runs.