Veteran commentator Aakash Chopra said Mohammed Siraj got fired up on Day 4 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 fourth Test because Akash Deep was also given the new ball. He added that the Hyderabad pacer wasn’t as penetrative and disciplined earlier as well. Siraj registered figures of 3/66 in 22 overs as Australia finished the penultimate day (Sunday, December 29) of the fourth Test against India in
Melbourne at 228/9 as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra’, he said, “Finally that fire. He had picked up wickets but the fire wasn’t seen. He had taken a few wickets but was looking wayward. He didn’t have that much penetration and discipline. I am talking about Siraj. A rap on the knuckles helps at times. Your pride is hurt. I think that’s what has happened.”

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“As soon as Akash Deep was given the new ball as Siraj was not pulling his weight and there was a lot of scrutiny in the media as well, Mohammed Siraj’s fire got ignited. He picked up the important wicket of Labuschagne, hit Khawaja’s stumps, was slightly lucky with Smith’s dismissal, but he got the wicket,” he again shared.

In the same video, Aakash Chopra also stated that Akash Deep has been unlucky not to pick up a wicket in Australia’s second innings so far.

“One person is looking good and is getting the fruits. The other person is looking good but is not getting the fruits. Akash Deep – from where do you get such rotten luck? It seems like two or three wickets should fall in every over but nothing to show for his efforts. It’s happening time and again. It happened in the last match and has happened here. It happened in the last innings. He is bowling beautifully many times but not for the same rewards. Luck was in Marnus Labuschagne’s favor. It’s said luck changes if you keep working hard. So I would say that for Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj has changed his luck,” Aakash Chopra concluded.