Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara praised Mohammed Siraj for claiming two key wickets on Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa. He singled out Siraj’s dismissal of Marco Jansen, describing it as a brilliantly set-up delivery. Siraj finished with figures of 2/47 from 12 overs as India bowled out South Africa for 159 in their first innings in Kolkata on Friday, November 14.
By the end of the day, India were 37/1 in their opening innings, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (12) being the lone wicket to fall. Speaking on Star Sports, Pujara shared his views on Siraj’s performance and highlighted how satisfying the Jansen wicket would have been for the pacer.
“He did an excellent setup. In his second spell, he was trying to bowl every ball on the stumps. He was trying to bring every ball in. Before Marco Jansen got out, he even bowled two bouncers to him. One was a wide for sure, but a tall batter always has in his mind that a bouncer can come anytime. Jansen has difficulties against the short ball,” he responded.
“His Front Foot Didn’t Move” – Pujara On Jansen Struggling Against Siraj’s Short Balls
The former India batsman noted that Jansen’s footwork faltered due to the short deliveries Siraj had bowled earlier.
“His feet didn’t move on that ball as they should have. The ball was good, but as a batter, can you not play that ball? You can definitely play, but his leg went in front of middle and leg. His leg had opened up. You do that in white-ball cricket and not in red-ball cricket. So, excellent bowling, but the bouncer was playing on Jansen’s mind, and that’s why his front foot didn’t move,” Pujara elaborated.
Mohammed Siraj first dismissed Kyle Verreynne lbw for 16 off 36 balls and then bowled Marco Jansen for a three-ball duck in the same over, leaving South Africa reeling at 147/7.
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