IND vs SL: Aakash Chopra Praises India Speedster Mohammed Siraj for His Bowling in 1st ODI
IND vs SL: Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has applauded India speedster Mohammed Siraj for bowling a stunning spell in the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati on Tuesday, January 10. India posted a massive 374-run target for Sri Lanka after being asked to bat first. Siraj then registered figures of 2/30 in seven overs as the hosts restricted the visitors to 306/8 to register a comfortable 67-run win.
While reviewing India’s bowling performance in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra praised Siraj. He also applauded the youngster Umran Malik for delivering a wicket-taking spell as well. He said:
“When it was Sri Lanka’s turn to bat, Mohammed Siraj was unstoppable. He was breathing fire, he bowled amazingly well. He dismissed Avishka Fernando and after that got Kusal Mendis out for a duck. The match went bad for Kusal Mendis, who first dropped Virat Kohli and then got out for a duck himself. After that, Umran Malik was brilliant. He picked up three wickets and there were two wickets in Mohammed Siraj’s kitty. There was one wicket for Chahal. Umran Malik is a wicket-taker, he picks up wickets whenever he comes. He bowls in the middle overs and hits the stumps. He is that good.”
However, Umran Malik returned with the figures of 3/57 in eight overs. He removed Charith Asalanka and also dismissed the well-set Pathum Nissanka and Dunith Wellalage for a duck when he was brought back into the attack. The veteran has also opined on Mohammad Shami’s attempt to run out Shanaka for backing up too early as well. Aakash Chopra said:
Aakash Chopra happy with the hosts’ performance in the IND vs SL match
“There was a big incident in this match. Dasun Shanaka was at the non-striker’s end on 98 and Mohammad Shami ran him out. He was actually out but Rohit Sharma withdrew the appeal. He later said that the guy played so well and they have no right to dismiss him like that at the non-striker’s end.”
He also believes the Indian team should take a call as a whole on whether they are going to attempt such run-outs or not in future. He stated that Shami seemed to be shown staying on the other side when Rohit Sharma withdrew the appeal. He also added that the team should have a defined rule and it should not be dependent on the match situation whether it should be done or not as well.
“There is nothing right or wrong in that, it is everyone’s personal decision, but I feel India should decide as a team whether they will do this or not. If you are not going to do it, it should be a blanket rule, or else you say that if someone has done it, we are not going to withdraw the appeal,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
