India had a good day with the bowling on Day 2 of the ongoing India vs Bangladesh Test in Chattogram, with Mohammad Siraj taking the top three Bangladeshi batsmen to the ground in a fine performance. Siraj got India off to a good start by sending Najmul Hossain Shanto back to the pavilion off the first ball of Bangladesh’s innings, but it was his fight with Litton Das that grabbed the attention.
Mohammad Siraj and Litton Das were seen having a heated exchange after the batsman played a defensive stroke, with both the umpires intervening as the Bangladesh batsman made a taunting move towards pacer Siraj.
Litton Das was seen making some gestures at Siraj soon after, but the Indian bowler had the last laugh when he dismissed the Bangladesh middle-order batsman in the next ball. A unique act by Mohammed Siraj immediately after Das’s dismissal, imitating Das’s gesture and holding a finger to his lips and gesturing for silence.
In the post-match press conference, when asked about the conversation he had with the ball before Das got out, Siraj said, “No, nothing. I said it’s not T20 cricket, it’s Test cricket.” Play sensible cricket.”
The Indian fast bowler performed brilliantly by adding 3 wickets for just 14 runs in nine overs. He sent back openers Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mohammad Zakir Hasan and Litton Das in their spells which helped India take an early lead in the game.
Siraj said:
“I was looking to bowl in good areas. On this pitch, if you try too hard you will leak runs. I found success by hitting similar areas. Bowling on the stumps helped me here because without width there were more chances of getting an LBW or bowled,”.
“Red-ball cricket has always been my favourite format. Consistently hitting line and lengths with the red ball also helps me when I play white-ball cricket,”.
Expressing his love for the format, Siraj said that the longest format of the game was his favourite.