India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said that the wicket was tough to bowl on, with slow seam movement and spin. The West Indies’ batting was also defensive, which made it difficult for India’s bowlers to take chances. Despite this, their bowlers did a great job, with each one of them doing what was expected of them. The next day, the new ball swung, and India’s bowlers took five wickets in only 7.4 overs. This was a significant opportunity for India, as they have struggled in overseas Test matches due to poor timing mistakes.
Also Read: Mohammed Siraj Playing Bigger Role Than His Experience
Two high-profile losses in the first World Test Championship final and the most recent one were not due to mistakes, but rather the timing of them. India’s limitations from these losses may help them to build up their team once again. In fact, India’s fast bowling stocks have improved significantly since their 8-0 loss in 2011-12. By seizing these opportunities, India can continue to build up their team and improve their chances of winning ICC titles.
Mohammed Siraj has been one of the toughest quick bowlers to face in the last year, inducing a false shot 211 times in 13 innings. He has played on raging turners in Mirpur and Nagpur, the featherbed at Ahmedabad, and the Queen’s Park Oval. On the fourth morning in Port-of-Spain, Siraj bowled 3.4 overs for 13 runs and four wickets, and only a few minutes after he left the field, West Indies leaked 100 runs in 12.2 overs. Siraj has worked hard to become a great bowler, testing both edges of the bat and creating uncertainty.
Two of his wickets came from balls leaving the right-hand batters, and the other two from balls snarling back into them. Siraj is close to being a complete fast bowler, and he has only been playing Test cricket for two-and-a-half years. Mukesh Kumar also looks like a quick study, with his control on day three being crucial, and the wickets he took being significant. Siraj’s and Kumar’s performances in Port-of-Spain are good signs for India’s future.
