Former Indian pacer and current CSK bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji has said that Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are almost identical bowlers. His comments come with the WTC final set to be played in les than a month’s time in the UK. The final will be played at Southampton between June 18-22. India and New Zealand face-off in a rematch of the 2019 World Cup semifinal.
Balaji praised the three senior Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma for the way they bowled in the WTC final. The CSK bowling coach also praised Mohammed Siraj who impressed the selectors with his performances against Australia and England. Bumrah took 34 wickets in nine Tests in the championship while Siraj took 39 in just five games.
Meanwhile, speaking about Bumrah and Siraj Lakshmipathy Balaji said that both are identical bowlers with a lot of similarities in action, line and length and delivery.
“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,” stated Balaji to Network 18.
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The former Indian fast-medium bowler added that Bumrah and Siraj even have a similar pattern of dismissal and mode of getting the batsmen out. He said that if India can devise a common strategy for Bumrah and Siraj, then the latter could be an ideal replacement if and when Bumrah is injured or not available.
Bumrah-Siraj Have Similar Dismissal Patters: Lakshmipathy Balaji
“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 offence if Bumrah is not there” Balaji pointed out.
The ICC World Test Championship final will be Virat Kohli’s maiden ICC trophy if he wins it. However, they have a more than a competitive team in New Zealand who are better adept at playing in the given conditions in the UK.
Also Read: India Have Skilled Bowlers In Reserve For Challenging English Conditions: Ian Chappell