'He pulled the entire team up with his fiery spells in Australia' - Dilip Vengsarkar lauds Mohammed Siraj for 'positive and aggressive' attitude

Mohammed Siraj has run up the ladder of success quickly after having waited for his time to arrive. But ever since his inclusion in the international side, it seems that he could no wrong. Just two matches into his career, Siraj led the Indian pace attack against Australia amid a slew of injuries as he bagged his maiden fifer in Brisbane to assist India to clinch a historic win at the venue and seal the series 2-1.

Currently a part of India’s Test setup that is up against England for a five-match Test series, Siraj has made a telling impact already in just two matches. He bagged a four-wicket haul in each of the two innings of the Lord’s Test that India went on to win by 151 runs.

Notably, Siraj had a brilliant IPL season with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in between this, as he led the team’s pace attack and even improved his economy too. Former India batsman Dilip Vengsarkar was all praises for the pacer as he acknowledged his rise as a Test bowler through sheer hard work and commitment.

Siraj made the difference with his positive attitude and aggression in Australia: Dilip Vengsarkar

“Absolutely, Siraj not having shoes until a few years ago, we have seen few such players emerging in India after the IPL. If you see Siraj’s performance in Australia, he excelled on the tour after India lost the first Test and were bowled out for 36. Even Kohli had returned home,” Dilip Vengsarkar said to Khaleej Times. 

Speaking about Siraj’s brilliant exploits on a difficult, challenging tour of Australia in their backyard, Vengsarkar said: “Then Siraj was the guy who made the difference with his positive attitude and aggression. He pulled the entire team up with his fiery spells. And they won against Australia in Australia. He played a huge part in that and since then he hasn’t looked back.”

Siraj also had to bear personal adversity on that tour as he lost his ailing father. However, he stayed back in Australia and ensured that he did the job for his team whenever they needed it.