CURIOUS CASE OF SIRAJ

The pacer's workload in the last couple of years or so could have affected his performance in the longest format

- GOMESH S

WHEN Akash Deep replaced Mohammed Siraj in the playing XI for the Pune Test against New Zealand, it all indicated towards form. Yes, the Indian team has been prone to rotating their fast bowlers at home—they did the same during the England series earlier this year—but here, it felt like there is more to it.

In the eight matches he played this year, Siraj had accounted for 19 wickets at an average of 29.47, which from the outset might not look as bad. But take away the one Cape Town Test, Siraj had just 12 scalps to show in 14 innings at home. The home average this year was 42.83. The only good thing about it is that it is better than his home Test average last year—73.