Mohammed Siraj has grown in confidence, looks more assured than ever before: Zaheer Khan

Former India pacer Zaheer Khan praised Mohammed Siraj for his canny bowling against New Zealand in the recently-concluded Test series, which hosts India clinched 1-0 after winning the Mumbai Test by a massive margin of 372 runs.

Zaheer reckoned that Siraj looks to be in complete control of his game at the moment, while he termed him to be a “great help” for the team once the first-choice players return to the fold. Against New Zealand, India rested plenty of players including Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Rishabh Pant to provide them some off time.

Siraj, who was not picked in the Kanpur Test that ended in a draw, was slotted into the team in Mumbai, and he did not disappoint, delivering an inspirational new-ball spell (3/19) in the first innings to trigger New Zealand’s collapse as they were tumbled out for 62 in response to India’s 325.

Siraj is understanding well what works for him: Zaheer Khan

“He [Siraj] is one of those bowlers who is growing in confidence; he has started to look more assured than before,” Zaheer told Cricbuzz. “When you just start playing international cricket or Test cricket, you need a little bit of time to realise what your strengths are, how do you simplify things.”

“Whenever I look at Siraj now, I feel he has simplified things. He tries to attack the stumps, which is his strength, and that’s where you see his deliveries either jagging back in or shaping away from the batter. So, it seems he is understanding well what works for him. He is moulding things that way, and he is reaping the rewards,” he added.

Explaining what value Siraj adds to the team even during the presence of all their first-choice players, Zaheer said: “Having him in the team will definitely ease things out, because when you have to rest your main bowler during the game – if say Jasprit Bumrah is playing, he becomes the main bowler, so if you have to use Bumrah sparingly or tactically, someone like a Siraj becomes a great help for the team.