After his five-wicket haul, Mohammed Siraj gave fellow pacer Akash Deep a chance to get a five-for as well. On the third day of the 2nd Test, with England at 9 down replying to India’s 587, Siraj didn’t attack the stumps.
“I told Akash I had four balls left and I could bowl outside off. He said no, take the wicket. No problem. If it’s meant to be, I’ll get it, Siraj said in a bcci.tv video.
Siraj finished with 6/70 while Akash got 4/88 as England were bowled out for 407 and India got a 180-run lead.
“I never consider a five-for special. The way we fought back with the second new ball was special for us and I’m happy with that, Akash said.
Siraj said if they both had taken a five-for, he would have given the ball to his younger teammate. “If we both had taken five wickets, I would have given this ball to Akash Deep because the first five-wicket haul is one to remember. My first fifer was in Australia and it was memorable, he said.
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Siraj praised Akash. “Akash Deep is like a horse. He was waiting for a chance and when it came he showed how eager he was. Honestly I enjoyed bowling with him, he said.
“I like being given responsibility. My only purpose was not to give runs from my end. I tried to bowl as much as I could and keep the batsmen under pressure, he added.
Akash returned the praise. “In the first spell I took two wickets but Siraj played a key role by keeping the pressure on from his end. That helped me to try and attack, he said.
