"He was four or five kilometers quicker" - Sanjay Manjrekar hails Indian pacer's effort on Day 4 of BGT 2024-25

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar opined that pacer Mohammed Siraj lifted his game on Day 4 of the Boxing Day Test against Australia on Sunday, December 29, and was rewarded for the same. According to Manjrekar, the Indian fast bowler rain in with a lot more energy and intent, which reflected in the speed gun.

Siraj was under fire over his below-par performances in BGT 2024-25. However, on Sunday, he came up with one of his better efforts, claiming 3-66 in 22 overs in Australia's second innings. The 30-year-old dismissed Usman Khawaja (21) and Steve Smith (13) before returning to end Marnus Labuschagne's resistance for 70.

Speaking to Star Sports, Manjrekar praised the Hyderabad bowler for lifting his game and providing able support to Jasprit Bumrah (4-56). He said (as quoted by The Times of India):

"The fact of the matter is Mohammed Siraj realized that he had to put in his best show. So what he did basically was just ran in with a lot more energy, just put in a lot more effort. And, sometimes, that's all you need. And it was evident when we saw the speed gun, he was four or five kilometers quicker.

Manjrekar added that Siraj was under pressure to deliver but lifted himself admirably to come up with an inspired bowling effort, elaborating:

"There were a couple of balls over that were touching 140. In the first innings, it was maybe 134, 135. So, sometimes, it's just about bending your back and forget about all the other issues. And that's what he did. And he was desperate for success. And sometimes when you push against the wall, and we've seen that with Mohammed Siraj, he comes up with the goods."

Siraj cleaned up Khawaja with an absolute beauty that knocked the Australian batter's off stump. He then had Smith caught behind with a full and wide delivery. The right-arm pacer bowled a length ball that nipped back sharply to trap the well-set Labuschagne leg before.

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A glance at Siraj's bowling stats in BGT 2024-25

Siraj is third on the list of leading wicket-takers in BGT 2024-25. The right-arm fast bowler has picked up 16 wickets at an average of 31.18. The Indian pacer claimed 2-20 and 3-51 in Perth. He followed up with figures of 4-98 and 0-9 in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. In the rain-affected Gabba Test, the 30-year-old registered figures of 2-97 and 2-36.