Former India batter turned commentator Cheteshwar Pujara has claimed that either a niggle or some other problem is bothering speedster Mohammed Siraj in the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka. He added that the star bowler lacked the nip he is known for while bowling with the new ball as well. However, Siraj registered figures of 1/11 in nine overs in Sri Lanka’s second innings in Colombo on Wednesday, August 26 as well.

During a discussion on Sony Sports, Pujara said, “His commitment is full. He can never bowl or field with half-hearted effort. A slight concern was visible in his bowling because you see his pace drop very rarely. In this Test match and this innings, it could be either a niggle or some difficulty, and that’s why his pace was seen at around 125 or 130 kph.”

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“Hopefully, he doesn’t have too much difficulty, but this is a one-off. You very rarely see Mohammed Siraj’s pace being so low. We saw his commitment in fielding. The only thing I felt in his bowling today was that, with the new ball, the nip he is known for wasn’t there. Despite that, he gave an important wicket to the Indian team with the new ball. He bowled a very good bouncer,” he again added.

Meanwhile, former India wicketkeeper-batter Srikar Bharat also shared about Mohammed Siraj’s splendid, but failed, effort to catch Pasindu Sooriyabandara.

“Siraj is always like a lion on the field. We have seen that when he bowls. He has a very big heart. Whether it’s in bowling or fielding, on or outside the ground, it doesn’t matter to him. He puts in a lot of effort. He knew the ball was far, but one rarely sees such an effort coming from a fast bowler. Siraj got injured, went out, did icing, and then returned. He gives his everything until the last ball. We have seen that repeatedly. That is why he became Miyan,” Bharat shared.