Having set a difficult goal of 365 runs for the hosts, West Indies struggled whereas reaching 76/2 by the top of day 4. On Sunday, the skilled off-spinner Ashwin showcased his ability by claiming each the wickets.
The situations appear favorable for spinners, which may additional play into Ashwin’s palms.
“The way the wicket is behaving, Ashwin, I feel, will run through the West Indies batting… the ball is turning,” mentioned Siraj on the finish of day’s play after India declared their innings at 181/2 after which removed the damaging West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk McKenzie to depart the hosts in a spot of hassle.
Siraj revealed that India had deliberate to undertake an aggressive batting method within the second innings, aiming to set a considerable for the house workforce.
The Indian batsmen, notably Ishan Kishan, displayed a T20-style present, with Kishan scoring a powerful 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 power to hit the ball lengthy and onerous. He has the power to hit throughout the bottom. We had sufficient runs on the board (first-innings lead), so our plan was to attain as many (runs within the second innings) in a brief interval after which (after declaration), we’d have the ability to get extra 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 might price my efficiency very excessive as a result of it isn’t simple to take 5 wickets on a flat wicket. I had set a plan, particularly when the ball began reverse-swinging, I executed my line and size completely.
“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 simple bowling in sizzling and humid situations 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 delight in turning into a outstanding determine within the Indian pace-bowling unit inside a comparatively quick interval of simply two and a half years.
With Jasprit Bumrah recuperating from a again damage and Mohammed Shami being rested for the West Indies collection, the accountability to ship has fallen on Siraj’s shoulders. Despite the stress, the 29-year-old quick bowler has risen to the event and has not upset.
“To be honest, I feel very nice when I get a responsibility, when no (senior) is there…I like accepting challenges,” mentioned Siraj.
Siraj additionally recommended the debutant pacer Mukesh Kumar for his spectacular efficiency within the match. Despite it being his first sport at this degree, Mukesh bowled 23 overs and claimed two wickets. According to Siraj, the 29-year-old bowler confirmed nice adaptability on the flat monitor, as he had prior expertise of bowling extensively on docile wickets in home 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 home cricket is a big achievement after which coming right here and controlling your nerves just isn’t simple. He is enjoying his first match for India and that too a Test and he’s bowling lengthy spells,” added Siraj.
(With company inputs)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com