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Except for Jasprit Bumrah, no other bowler from the Indian team was able to pose much of a challenge for the England batters throughout the first Test at Headingley. As a result, the hosts were able to take advantage and emerge victorious by five wickets, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
One of the Indian bowlers who underperformed big time during the match was Mohammed Siraj. The 31-year-old was only able to pick up two scalps throughout the game and even ended up going wicket-less in England's second innings as they chased down the 371-run target on Day 5.
Kaif was highly critical of Siraj's bowling
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif criticized Siraj's bowling effort during the match against England at Headingley and stated that rather than bowling with his heart, the pacer should bowl using his mind.
"People say Mohammed Siraj tried very hard, bowls with his heart. Sir, don't bowl with your heart, bowl with your mind and with line and length where we can get wickets," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
"Why didn't Bumrah take wickets in the second innings? It's because the batters played defensively. They attacked Krishna, Shardul, and Siraj. Gameplan becomes very easy when you know Bumrah will bowl 4-5 overs, play him well," he added.
Kaif also made a massive claim and stated that if Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami were present in India's playing XI, then Shubman Gill & Co. would have triumphed in the series.
"In the same bowling lineup, you give him (Gill) Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Bumrah. I guarantee you Gill will win this Test series. Those are the bowlers who know how to take 20 wickets," Kaif concluded.
After being 1-0 down in the series, India will be desperate for a victory in the second Test that is set to commence from July 2 at Edgbaston. If they do end up losing, then England will definitely be favourites to win the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and it will be a mountain task for the Men in Blue to make a comeback.
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