India vs West Indies, 2nd Test: Confident Ravichandran Ashwin will do the job for India on the final day, says Mohammed Siraj | Cricket News

Mohammed Siraj has no doubt that star India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will pose a formidable challenge for the West Indies batsmen on the final day of the second Test, with the hosts requiring 289 runs more to win and level the two-match series.

Having set a challenging target of 365 runs for the hosts, West Indies struggled while reaching 76/2 by the end of day four. On Sunday, the experienced off-spinner Ashwin showcased his skill by claiming both the wickets.
The conditions seem favorable for spinners, which could further play into Ashwin’s hands.

“The way the wicket is behaving, Ashwin, I feel, will run through the West Indies batting… the ball is turning,” said Siraj at the end of day’s play after India declared their innings at 181/2 and then got rid of the dangerous West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk McKenzie to leave the hosts in a spot of bother.
Siraj revealed that India had planned to adopt an aggressive batting approach in the second innings, aiming to set a substantial for the home team.
The Indian batsmen, particularly Ishan Kishan, displayed a T20-style show, with Kishan scoring an impressive unbeaten 52 runs off 34 balls.

“Yes, Ishan is an aggressive batter. Rishabh Pant is not there, so as a wicketkeeper he (Ishan) is able to fill in for Pant’s loss to a certain extent, if not completely.
“He has the ability to hit the ball long and hard. He has the ability to hit all around the ground. We had enough runs on the board (first-innings lead), so our plan was to score as many (runs in the second innings) in a short period and then (after declaration), we would be able to get more overs to bowl out the West Indies.”
Siraj’s remarkable performance in the first innings resulted in him securing a five-wicket haul, playing a crucial role in India dismissing the West Indies for 255 in response to the visitors’ total of 438.
Reflecting on his achievement, Siraj acknowledged that bowling tirelessly in such challenging conditions was no easy feat.

“I would rate my performance very high because it’s not easy to take five wickets on a flat wicket. I had set a plan, especially when the ball started reverse-swinging, I executed my line and length perfectly.
“My plan was simple… since the ball wasn’t doing much, I kept it stump-to-stump and also derived some seam (movement),” he added.
He added that it wasn’t easy bowling in hot and humid conditions with frequent rain interruptions.
“When you bowl long spells in this heat and humidity, it is not easy. Then intermittent rains and to warm up again and again after every rain break, it was very challenging.”
Siraj expressed his pride in becoming a prominent figure in the Indian pace-bowling unit within a relatively short period of just two and a half years.

With Jasprit Bumrah recuperating from a back injury and Mohammed Shami being rested for the West Indies series, the responsibility to deliver has fallen on Siraj’s shoulders. Despite the pressure, the 29-year-old fast bowler has risen to the occasion and has not disappointed.
“To be honest, I feel very nice when I get a responsibility, when no (senior) is there…I like accepting challenges,” said Siraj.
Siraj also commended the debutant pacer Mukesh Kumar for his impressive performance in the match. Despite it being his first game at this level, Mukesh bowled 23 overs and claimed two wickets. According to Siraj, the 29-year-old bowler showed great adaptability on the flat track, as he had prior experience of bowling extensively on docile wickets in domestic cricket.

“Mukesh is not a new player. He plays Ranji Trophy regularly and bowls on difficult wickets. It’s not easy to take wickets in Ranji Trophy, where wickets (pitches) are even more flat than the one at Port of Spain.
“Performing in domestic cricket is a huge achievement and then coming here and controlling your nerves is not easy. He is playing his first match for India and that too a Test and he is bowling long spells,” added Siraj.
(With agency inputs)