Siraj Defended Amidst Wicket Drought; Rahul-Sarfaraz Battle for Second Test Spot

Mohammed Siraj, India's fast bowler, has faced criticism for his recent performances. Despite his struggles, assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate defended Siraj, acknowledging his "wicket-drought" but emphasizing his quality bowling.

Ten Doeschate praised Siraj's performance in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand, highlighting his ability to move the ball across left-handers. He attributed Siraj's lack of wickets to a temporary drought, expressing confidence in his recovery.

Meanwhile, a selection battle is brewing between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan for the second Test. Ten Doeschate acknowledged the competition, noting Rahul's recent struggles and Sarfaraz's impressive performance in the previous Test.

The team combination is also under scrutiny, with Washington Sundar added to the squad. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are aiming to overcome injury concerns for the match.

Ten Doeschate emphasized the need to balance the team's strengths and weaknesses, considering the pitch conditions and the team's performance in the first Test. He expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back from the defeat in Bengaluru.

Tags: #MohammedSiraj, #IndiaCricket, #RyanTenDoeschate, #KLRahul, #SarfarazKhan