In a lighthearted moment during Team India's practice session ahead of the second Test against England, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj's reaction to finding his bat broken became an instant hit among fans. The incident occurred during practice at Edgbaston, where India is preparing to face England in the second Test of the five-match series.
A video shared by The Times of India captured the moment when Siraj walked into the nets and discovered his bat was broken. His initial reaction was one of mock anger and confusion, as he threw his hands up in the air and exclaimed, "WHO BROKE MY BAT?!". However, this quickly turned into laughter, showcasing his positive and playful attitude amidst the intense preparations for the upcoming match.
The video of Siraj's reaction quickly went viral, with fans finding his antics amusing and relatable. The moment of surprise and mock outrage, followed by his signature grin, resonated with many, who dubbed it "classic Siraj". This incident highlighted Siraj's ability to maintain a lighthearted approach even under the pressure of international cricket.
India is aiming to bounce back in the second Test after suffering a defeat in the first match at Leeds. A significant concern for the team has been the performance of the lower-order batsmen. In the first Test, the tail-enders failed to provide adequate support to the top order, with no batter from No. 8 onward managing to reach double figures in either innings.
Siraj himself has faced criticism for his batting performances. In the first Test, he scored three runs not out in the first innings and was dismissed for a golden duck in the second innings. His batting approach has often been described as reckless, and his lack of application with the bat has been scrutinized. Despite typically batting at No. 11, Siraj has sometimes been pushed up the order. While he managed to score in double digits twice in his initial Test innings, he has only crossed the 10-run mark once in his subsequent 46 innings.
In response to the criticism and the growing importance of tail-end resistance, Indian bowlers, including Siraj, have been dedicating more time to batting practice in the nets. This incident with the broken bat occurred during one of these practice sessions, adding a touch of humor to the team's preparations.
Besides his batting, Siraj's bowling performance in the first Test also came under scrutiny. While he bowled with effort, he struggled to maintain consistency and take wickets, especially in the first innings. Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif advised Siraj to focus on smarter execution rather than just raw effort.
The second Test between India and England is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 2, at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. India will be looking to level the series, and contributions from the lower order will be crucial to their chances of success.