India’s young speedster Mohammed Siraj received big praise from Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar himself as the legend talked about Siraj’s strengths and the promise at the highest level.
Siraj later thanked Tendulkar for his kind words and said it’s a “huge motivation” for him to be praised by a figure of such legendary status.
Tendulkar lavished praise on Siraj during a virtual interview with popular journalist Boria Majumdar on his show ‘Backstage with Boria’. In a clip posted over Twitter by Boria, Tendulkar seemed very impressed with what he has seen so far in the skiddy Hyderabad pacer.
“There is spring in his legs and that is what I like to see,” Tendulkar said. “His run-up… you can see he is full of energy. And he is one of those bowlers… when you look at him, you cannot figure out whether it’s the first or the last over of the day. He is coming at you all the time. He is a proper fast bowler and his body language is so positive. That is what I like. He is a fast learner.”
Tendulkar’s effusive praise warmed the heart of millions of Indian fans and Siraj himself, as the young pacer made it a point to immediately thank the great cricketer. Siraj referred to Tendulkar as “sir” and besides calling his words a “huge motivation” factor, he promised to continue performing for the country to the best of his abilities.
“Thank you @sachin_rt sir for this. It is a huge motivation for me coming from you.. I will always do my best for my country. stay well sir,” Siraj tweeted, before many of his fans wished him well for the forthcoming tour of South Africa.
Siraj has been one of Indian cricket’s brightest finds in the fast-bowling department. The tall and skiddy Hyderabad right-arm pacer made his India debut back in early 2019 and has played 10 Tests, one ODI and four T20Is. It is in Test cricket where the unorthodox quick has enjoyed his time the most. He has taken 33 wickets at 27.69 per scalp with one five-wicket haul.
That five-fer came in the decisive Brisbane Test earlier this year where Siraj stood out with his pace and craft in a weakened Indian attack and played his part in India’s historic series win in Australia, helping India also become the first side to breach the Gabba fortress after 32 years.
In South Africa, Siraj’s role will be crucial as the third seamer during the Test leg, where India hope to clinch their maiden series win in the rainbow nation. The excessive bounce that the pacer generates at his height, combined with the seam movement he extracts through his slingy action, makes him a lethal prospect for South African conditions.
Siraj displayed these qualities in England also when he played a crucial role in India’s magnificent come-from-behind win at Lord’s and pushed his side to a 2-1 series lead.
The upcoming visit is India’s eighth to SA since the end of the apartheid era and sixth since the turn of the century. In Tests, they’ve lost all bar one of their series versus the Proteas, with a 1-1 draw in 2010-11 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy being India’s best result in the country.
The tour starts with the first of three Tests for the Gandhi-Mandela Trophy on Boxing Day (December 26) in Centurion. Johannesburg (January 3-7) and Cape Town (January 11-15) will host the next two Tests. The series is part of the World Test Championship (WTC).
