IND vs SA Live: Mohammed Siraj ruled out, who will come in? – The inevitable has happened. Mohammed Siraj has been ruled out of the crucial and series-deciding Test against South Africa starting Monday. India Test skipper Virat Kohli confirmed Siraj’s situation on Monday but refused to reveal who will replace him. Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav are contesting for the position. Follow India vs South Africa Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Mohammed Siraj suffered a hamstring injury in the last match and could only bowl 15.5 overs and was not in his rhythm.
“Yes I am abosouleuty fit. Siraj is obviously recovering from the niggle, he had from the last game and at present, I do not think he is match ready to take the field,” Virat Kohli said during a virtual press conference.
IND vs SA LIVE: Virat Kohli confirms, ‘Mohd Siraj not available for series decider’, who will team pick Ishant or Umesh Yadav in XI? Follow LIVE Updates
Although India have Deepak Chahar and Navdeep Saini in the standbys besides two more fast bowlers, the competition for the spot is between veteran Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav. Both have their own merits to be selected but Virat Kohli said the team management will have a discussion on Monday before finalising who will be the replacement.
“We cannot risk a guy who is not fit because we know how important is that a little niggle opening and extending into an injury could be for the team. Yes, Siraj is not up to the mark but I am absolutely fit,” Virat Kohli said.
IND vs SA LIVE: Virat Kohli confirms, ‘Mohd Siraj not available for series decider’, who will team pick Ishant or Umesh Yadav in XI? Follow LIVE Updates
India Playing XI: Why should Umesh Yadav play ahead of Ishant Sharma?
- The Newlands pitch has traditionally helped fast bowlers with some swing.
- The cool breeze from the nearby sea carries moisture and is helpful to the fast bowlers.
- Umesh Yadav bowls at 140kph+ and manages to get outswings which can be very effective in those conditions.
- The other factor that will work for Umesh Yadav is his attacking intent. Like Mohd Siraj, Umesh Yadav likes to take the attack to the batsman with full-length deliveries outside the of-stump at over 140kph, forcing the batsmen to drive and make mistakes.
- Ishant Sharma on the other hand is a defensive bowler who likes to keep the scoring in check rather than forcing the batsman to make mistakes. With series on the line, Umesh could be a potent bowler.
It’s GO time here in Cape Town 👏 👏#TeamIndia all set and prepping for the series decider 👍 👍#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/RgPSPkNdk1
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 9, 2022
IND vs SA LIVE: Virat Kohli confirms, ‘Mohd Siraj not available for series decider’, who will team pick Ishant or Umesh Yadav in XI? Follow LIVE Updates
However, Virat Kohli sent a warning to BCCI on squad rotation yet against with rising injuries and niggles.
“More so now with playing in environments where we are restricted most of the times, I think these things are already being discussed and considered, things will improve as we go ahead. This is the only way to manage this, you do not want to lose important players. These are the few things I have observed that have led to players having niggles,” Virat Kohli said.
India Playing XI vs South Africa, Cape Town Test:
1. KL Rahul
2. Mayank Agarwal
3. Cheteshwar Pujara
4. Virat Kohli
5. Ajinkya Rahane
6. Rishabh Pant (WK)
7. R Ashwin
8. Shardul Thakur
9. Mohammed Shami
10. Umesh Yadav
11. Jasprit Bumrah
Squad India: Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Priyank Panchal, Hanuma Vihari, Shreyas Iyer, Mayank Agarwal, Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj (injured), Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav.
IND vs SA LIVE: Virat Kohli confirms, ‘Mohd Siraj not available for series decider’, who will team pick Ishant or Umesh Yadav in XI? Follow LIVE Updates
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