Tendulkar hailed Siraj’s consistency in the longest format of the game. Having made his debut in Australia last year, the 27-year-old has so far featured in seven matches and has claimed 27 wickets, which includes a five-for.
While speaking to PTI, Tendulkar had lot of good things to say about the Hyderabad fast bowler. He stated, “Siraj is a quick learner and adapts well to situations. He has come across as a fast learner. Fast bowlers have a period where they develop very quickly. You look at them and you know they are different bowler now.”
“They have that window where they develop and that window is at the moment with Siraj. He has developed very quickly. When I saw him in MCG last year to now, what strikes is the fact that Siraj has learnt how to construct an over, how to bowl a spell. That ability to think is critical. He has spring in his strides and give his hundred percent every time,” Tendulkar added.
Jasprit Bumrah has claimed 12 wickets in the Test series against England so far while Siraj has 11. For England, James Anderson has picked up nine.
On Indian captain Virat Kohli’s lean run with the bat, Tendulkar added, “Virat hasn't had a great start. It is the mind that leads to technical errors and if the start isn't good you start thinking about a lot of things. Because anxiety levels are high you tend to over compensate your movements. When a batsman isn't in good form you either go too far across or don't move your feet at all. That happens to everyone. Form is also your state of mind along with the body working in harmony.”
Kohli has failed to play a single significant knock in the series so far. On every occasion he has been dismissed, he has perished flirting outside the off stump.
The Master Blaster also expressed surprise at England’s decision to bowl first at Lord’s. He opined, “When I saw Joe Root putting India in after winning the toss, I was really surprised and I felt that in itself was an indication that England was worried about our fast bowling attack. I actually shared a message with a friend on Friday morning around 8 am that if weather allows us, we are winning this Test match.”
The third Test of the India-England series will be played in Headingley, Leeds from August 25.
--By A Cricket Correspondent