Former chief selector MSK Prasad has recently said that pacer Mohammed Siraj is currently on the top of his form and he will play a crucial role in South Africa tour. However, he was not featured in the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur. On his return to the second Test in the Mumbai Test, he ended up being the only pacer from both teams to take wickets, claiming three scalps to his name as well.
Notably, Siraj had made his Test debut in Australia and ended up with 13 scalps. And, Prasad added that the Indian team did a “mistake” by not adding him in the first Test against the Kiwis, citing that the Virat Kohli-led side missed a trick by playing two pacers in home conditions as well.
“I think he is the third in the order and he is giving a run for the money for the 1st and 2nd slots (in the pace attack) also with the kind of performances he has put in. In all fairness, it will be Bumrah, Shami and Siraj will be the third pacer by default. Even the Indian team missed a trick by not playing in the first Test match (against New Zealand in Kanpur),” MSK Prasad told India Today.
Not playing Siraj was a mistake for the Kanpur Test: MSK Prasad
However, Team India has a strong pace attack with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami making a return after being rested for the recent New Zealand series at home. The Indian pace attack also has Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur and Ishant Sharma as well. India are all set to play a three-match Test series in South Africa, starting with the Boxing Day Test in Centurion on December 26, while the rest two matches will take place in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
“Now, having two seniors at home is a little difficult. You could have gone with Siraj and Ishant or Siraj and Umesh. You need that youthful exuberance. I feel that was a mistake for the Kanpur Test,” MSK Prasad concluded.
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