NEWS
Follow UsUnder exceptional circumstances, Mohammed Siraj made his Test debut in Australia late last year and by the end of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he was the most experienced pacer in the entire side. His evolution has been an interesting one, something that has made him a prime contender for a spot in the India Test squad for the England series. Dale Steyn believes that Siraj's attitude towards the game will keep him in good stead in India's bid to win in England.
"Mohammed Siraj is somebody who could come in. I think he brings a good attitude to the game. That's another thing we tend to forget when you're playing in England conditions. It's not just about where you put the ball but also the attitude you bring, getting in people's faces, making them play shots they don't particularly want to play - I think Siraj is somebody who can do that," Steyn told ESPNCricinfo.
"I saw parts of that little bit of fight when he played in Australia and I immediately knew he's going to have a good Test career. Don't forget about the attitude of a fast bowler too. Maybe that's something India would have really relished in the World Test Championship final, but it would have come with the sacrifice of some more runs," the South Africa pacer added.
India have a well-manned bowling unit with the likes of Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma being the front-runners to take part in the Trent Bridge Test. Steyn advised the Indian pacers to maintain their fitness for they will be very important to the side in the five-match series.
"I like what they have got right now. All those bowlers bring something different to the party. My advice is to stay fit. Five Test matches - that requires a lot of bowling. It's a lot of wickets to take, and if you're going to rely on your seamers to do a lot of bowling, you have to stay fit," Steyn added.
