India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has stamped his authority with the ball right from the word go in his Test cricket and he has been among the wickets consistently. The right-handed pacer registered a four-wicket haul in the first innings of the second Test against England at Lord’s and came up with a “finger on lips” gesture.
Siraj later explained about his celebration saying that it was directed towards the critics who had questioned his abilities.
“This story (celebration) is for the haters (critics) because they used to say a lot of things about me like he cannot do this and cannot do that. So, I will only let my ball do the talking and hence this is my new style of celebration,” Siraj said at the virtual post-day press conference after the third day’s play of the second Test.
The hosts rode on a brilliant ton from captain Joe Root who remained unbeaten at 180 to post 391 in reply to India’s 364, before getting bundled out for 391, taking a 27-run lead in the first innings against the visitors. Apart from Root, Jonny Bairstow notched up a half-century as well.
The home side was looking pretty stable at one stage and was eyeing a big lead when Root and Bairstow were batting and then once again when Root and Moeen Ali were batting. But Ishant Sharma pulled things back for India, dismissing Moeen and Sam Curran on consecutive deliveries and returned with a three-for in the innings. India will now begin the second innings on Day 4.